St Oswald’s Church in Tile Hill has started a new initiative to help people in the community in need of food and to reduce food waste. St Oswald’s Platter is a table full of food located in the lobby of the church building which people can take from with no questions asked.
The platter is inspired by the church’s patron, St Oswald, who showed great generosity to those in need. The writer and monk, Bede, recounts a time when Oswald was eating an Easter dinner with Bishop Aidan. Oswald was eating from a silver dish full of rich foods when a servant came in and told Oswald that a crowd of the hungry people were in the streets begging alms from the king. Oswald immediately had his food given to the poor and even had the dish broken up and distributed.
Food is donated to St Oswald’s Platter from churchgoers, people in the community and local food shops. Last week Eastern Green Junior School donated 961 items. St Oswald’s Platter has also been supported by Coventry Foodbank.
Father Edward Backhouse SSC, Priest in Charge of St Oswald’s says:
“St Oswald’s Platter serves to remind us of our patron. We hope and pray that those who come here in need will find a share of that generosity and be nourished.”
If anyone would like to donate food to the platter you can call into the church during opening times (9.30am – 4pm), or email Father Edward on Fr.EdwardBackhouse@outlook.com or call the church office on 07512 924401 to arrange a time to drop off. Everyone is welcome to attend mass at St Oswald’s on Sundays at 10am.
For further information about St Oswald’s Platter please contact Father Edward.