Just Food? How faith groups can go from feeding the hungry to creating a just society : 15 Oct, ONLINE

October 15, 2020 | 6:00 pm 7:30 pm
online

Join Sustain and Caritas Westminster for an inter-faith panel discussion to consider how faith groups can move beyond feeding the hungry to creating a just society, as part of London Challenge Poverty Week 2020

Thursday 15 October 2020 at 6.00pm – 7.30pm. Register here

What role does religion and faith play in fighting food poverty? How can faith-based food relief translate into social justice work addressing the root causes of food poverty?

The majority of food banks and other community food projects in the UK are based in religious principles or run by religious groups. In most major religions, the imperative to help the needy and feed the hungry is central, as is the drive towards justice. But how do these things play out in practice? Can a focus on feeding the hungry distract from work that addresses the root causes of this hunger?

Join us for an inter-faith panel discussion with faith leaders, community organisers and others engaged in providing food aid or food justice work. We will discuss the religious imperatives towards charity, but also towards justice, and the ways that the two can sometimes get in the way of one another.

Caritas Westminster is the social action agency of the Diocese of Westminster. Underpinned by Catholic Social Teaching, Caritas aims to help individuals and groups in the Diocese of Westminster to use their gifts and talents to create inclusive and caring communities.

Sustain: The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.

The event will be a panel discussion followed by Q&A from the audience.

** Confirmed speakers so far **

Chair: Dr Philomena Cullen. Dr Philomena Cullen is a Catholic practical theologian, who currently runs her own research consultancy, working on food insecurity and other social justice issues with a number of Christian charities in the UK.

Hannah Style – Founder and Chairwoman of Feast with Us, a London based food poverty charity, which originated in the Jewish community. Feast brings together surplus food and an army of committed volunteers to provide healthy and nutritious meals for the people and communities who need it the most.

Randeep S Lall – CEO of Nishkam SWAT, a Sikh charity working to support financially disadvantaged communities. Since 2009 they have been serving hot meals to those going hungry in London at 21 locations across the city.

Fr Dominic Robinson SJ – Catholic Priest and Chair of Westminster Diocese Justice and Peace Commission, working to identify and raise awareness of injustice and its root causes as well as offering direct relief through the Central London Catholic Churches group.

Aaseem Mulji is Founding Trustee of Sufra NW London (#morethanafoodbank) and a Member of SICM (Islamic Community in North Harrow) working on tackling poverty and Social injustices in deprived neighbourhoods as a Social entrepreneur.

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