Hundreds of volunteers assembled food parcels on Saturday to support people across Birmingham facing financial hardship as the cost of living remains elevated. The Diwali Basket Brigade event at the RSRS Centre in Hockley drew approximately 300 participants and was organised by The Diwali Foundation, marking the ninth year the charity has mobilised community volunteers from diverse backgrounds to prepare hampers ahead of the religious festival. According to BBC News, the initiative aims to bring relief to vulnerable households across multiple cities.
Deepak Parekh, who founded the initiative, emphasised the ongoing nature of economic pressures facing households.
The cost of living crisis hasn't gone away... but Diwali is a celebration of light over darkness, and this is our little way of bringing some light and some hope into the families that need it most.The Diwali Foundation, headquartered in Herefordshire, reports that more than 12% of UK households are experiencing food poverty. The charity collaborates with approximately forty food banks and charities to reach vulnerable populations, and has distributed around 23,470 food hampers to date.
Each hamper contains essential non-perishable food items, toiletries and a handmade Diwali card, with each parcel costing £10. Recipients are nominated by partner organisations, and volunteers can pack and personally deliver hampers to those in need.
Volunteer Clare Hannah reflected on the significance of the work while preparing parcels:
You're thinking about, 'oh I wonder what they're going to make with this'. And the fact that this is all that they've got, for some people.The food parcels were transported from Hockley to residents living in accommodation provided by Walsall Housing Group.
Faye Shanahan, representing Walsall Housing Group, highlighted the acute challenges facing residents.
It's really tough out there. Our customers are having a really hard time. The cost of living is not easing. Events like this today are really, really fantastic. It makes an absolutely fantastic difference to our customers.
John Whiting, a resident who celebrated his eightieth birthday on Saturday, expressed gratitude for his parcel.
There are a lot of people out there that've got nothing. The food will be tremendous, thank you.He described the hamper as
unbelievable.
How widespread is food insecurity in the UK?
Food poverty remains a significant challenge across the country. The Diwali Foundation's assessment that over 12% of UK households face food poverty reflects broader patterns of financial strain. Earlier this year, FareShare Sussex & Surrey warned that families are skipping meals during the summer holidays as parents face extra food costs when free school meals stop, demonstrating how economic pressures intensify during specific periods. Community-led responses have expanded in response to these challenges, with initiatives ranging from food redistribution hubs to social supermarkets providing alternative support mechanisms.
What is the scale of this year's campaign?
The 2026 Diwali Basket Brigade campaign represents a significant expansion of the charity's work. Organisers have set an ambitious target, though reporting on the exact figure has varied: while the initial target mentioned 6,000 hampers, a separate report published on 27 October indicated the 2026 drive aimed to feed 5,000 families. This year's effort would build on the 2025 record, when the campaign provided more than 80,000 meals. The initiative extends beyond Birmingham, with parallel events held in London on Saturday and additional events scheduled in Manchester and Leicester.
What happens next?
The campaign was scheduled to run across Birmingham, London, Manchester and Leicester on 31 October and 1 November 2026. The Diwali Foundation also maintains year-round support activities, including an annual food-pallet drop held in May, ensuring sustained assistance to vulnerable households beyond the festival season.
