Faisan:
Did you know there are more than a thousand food banks in the UK?

Arif:
Food banks? What’s that? Like a bank where they keep food instead of money?

Faisan:
Sort of! But not for storing food for fun. Food banks collect extra food from shops, restaurants, and people, then give it to those who can’t afford to buy food.

Bilal:
Wait, you’re telling me people in England, the place with all those big houses and fancy cars, need free food?

Faisan:
Exactly! I was surprised too. But listen to this: In the UK alone, there are 1,172 food banks, and one group called the Trussell Trust distributes food from 1,700 locations. They help families, kids, and even old people who don’t have enough to eat.

Rehan:
But isn’t that what beggars do? Stand by the road and ask for food? Why not just give them money?

Faisan:
It’s not the same. Food banks give people dignity. Instead of begging, they can go to a food bank, take what they need, and feed their families. It’s organized. Imagine if you didn’t know where your next meal was coming from. A food bank makes sure you don’t go to bed hungry.

Bilal:
So... who gives them the food? Do they just take leftovers?

Faisan:
Yes, sometimes. But also, supermarkets donate food that’s close to its expiry date, farms give extra produce, and restaurants donate unsold meals. Volunteers pack and distribute the food to people in need.

Rehan:
So they’re like food superheroes? Saving food and saving people?

Faisan:
Exactly! And you know what? They also reduce food waste. All that food would’ve gone into the trash otherwise. Instead, it feeds hungry people.

Bilal:
But still... England? Aren’t they all rich?

Faisan:
Not everyone. Even in the richest countries, some people struggle. In America, 14 million children don’t get enough food. Food banks are for them too. Hunger doesn’t care if a country is rich or poor.

Arif:
You know, it’s kind of smart. We have beggars here, but what if we had food banks instead? That way, no one would need to beg on the streets.

Faisan:
Exactly. If they can do it in England and America, why can’t we? Imagine a food bank in our own neighborhood. Think of all the people we could help.

Bilal:
But how would we even start? Where would we get the food?

Rehan:
And where would we keep it? My dad has an empty storeroom we could use…

Faisan:
One step at a time. First, let’s find out how much food is wasted here. If food banks can work in the UK, maybe we can make them work here too.