Pastor's mission to support the needy in Burnley and Pendle is breaking his heart

Pastor the Rev. Phillip Ingram, minister at the small Lighthouse Christian Centre, Halifax Road, Brierfield, has run a foodbank from the church for some time, but told the Burnley Express that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic was making life even more difficult for struggling families and individuals around the area.

Phillip and a small group of volunteers deliver food parcels every Wednesday to around 20 families and people living alone who are struggling to put enough food on the table to sustain them.

He spoke to the Express about the difficult situation for many and revealed how a little girl's excitement at being delivered chocolate cake broke his heart.

He said: "We have run a foodbank for quite a long time but the Covid pandemic has increased the need for it to many other people. We assemble and deliver food parcels to people who have fallen on hard times.

"These families and individuals have been recommended to us by people we know or they have approached us themselves. They are very genuine cases of poverty. Among them include a 99-year-old lady who lives on her own. We stop and talk to her as well as deliver food as that can be just as important.

"It is a very sad situation and one incident has stuck with me. We handed some chocolate cake to a little girl who couldn't contain her excitement. It broke my heart. We take a lot of things for granted that are a luxury for others."

Rev. Ingram said the foodbank relies on donations and help from other churches and individuals, adding: "We do need more financial support to buy the foods and also people to provide tins and dry foods such as pasta, coffee, tea bags, longlife milks, biscuits, cakes, tins, meats and vegetables.

"People can find us on wwwlighthousechristiancentre.co.uk and stroll down to the bottom and make a donation by pressing the 'Support Us' button. Or contact me on 07725 899128."

Dave Kendall, from Inghamite Church in Fence, said: "I really feel that the work that Phill is doing merits recognition in the Pendle area for all his hard work.

"At the moment he has identified the needs of six families and at least 19 other people with more being identified as his work progresses. He at the moment has limited help in preparing food boxes for people and is reliant upon giving both financial and food wise from other organisations and churches in the Pendle area."