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"Bringing heaven down to earth": The purpose and place of religion in UK food aid
Power, M. Small, Neil A. Doherty, B. Stewart-Knox, Barbara Pickett, K.E.
Power, M.
Small, Neil A.
Doherty, B.
Stewart-Knox, Barbara
Pickett, K.E.
Publication Date
2017
End of Embargo
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This article is © 2017 Emerald Group Publishing and permission has been granted for this version to appear here: https://bradscholars.brad.ac.uk. Emerald does not grant permission for this article to be further copied/distributed or hosted elsewhere without the express permission from Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
Peer-Reviewed
Yes
Open Access status
openAccess
Accepted for publication
14/06/2017
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Department
Awarded
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Abstract
This paper uses data from a city with a multi-ethnic, multi-faith population to better
understand faith-based food aid. It aims to understand what constitutes faith-based responses
to food insecurity; compare the prevalence and nature of faith-based food aid across different
religions; and explore how community food aid meets the needs of a multi-ethnic, multi-faith
population.
Methodology
The study involved two phases of primary research. In phase one, desk-based research and
dialogue with stakeholders in local food security programmes was used to identify faith-
based responses to food insecurity. Phase two consisted of 18 semi-structured interviews
involving faith-based and secular charitable food aid organizations.
Findings
The paper illustrates the internal heterogeneity of faith-based food aid. Faith-based food aid is
highly prevalent and the vast majority is Christian. Doctrine is a key motivation among
Christian organizations for their provision of food. The fact that the clients at faith-based,
particularly Christian, food aid did not reflect the local religious demographic is a cause for
concern in light of the entry-barriers identified. This concern is heightened by the co-option
of faith-based organizations by the state as part of the ‘Big Society’ agenda.
Originality
This is the first academic study in the UK to look at the faith-based arrangements of Christian
and Muslim food aid providers, to set out what it means to provide faith-based food aid in the
UK and to explore how faith-based food aid interacts with people of other religions and no
religion.
Version
Accepted manuscript
Citation
Stewart-Knox B (2017) "Bringing heaven down to earth": The purpose and place of religion in UK food aid. Social Enterprise Journal. 13(3): 251-267.
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Article