A mum from Aspley has launched a new foodbank which delivers packages to people in urgent need of food.
Naheed Khan has set up Meals Food Bank in an attempt to remove the "shame" she claims some people may feel when visiting a foodbank.
Mrs Khan came up with the idea shortly after a period of reflection during Ramadan.
Typically, most foodbanks require people to collect the items in person, but the new service allows those in urgent need of food - or someone acting on their behalf - to submit a referral form.
Mrs Khan will then call the number provided to conduct an assessment to find out the person's needs and arrange a delivery once the request has been processed.
"It's a pride thing for people not wanting to come and get food," the self-employed 40-year-old said.
"I've got a very close friend who said the idea was brilliant. She was a professional but she went through a period when she struggled to feed her family as a single parent.
"She said she felt the shame when going to a foodbank, so something like this takes that away.
"Originally I though about opening a foodbank, but I have a busy schedule - what if someone cannot get here for those two hours that I manned it for example. This idea takes it away.
"Once you have got food in your belly you can think straight and make the right decisions."
What matters to you
Mrs Khan is currently working out of an office space in West Bridgford, where she will be storing the food packages.
Each package will be tailored to each family based on size and need, and will include non-perishable items ranging from tinned beans, fish, lentils, rice pudding, long-life milk and tea bags to packets of pasta, energy bars and instant noodles.
The food packages will include enough food for "three to five days", Mrs Khan said.
She says she gained inspiration from Imran Hameed, who operates the Salma foodbank in Sandwell, West Midlands.
Mr Hameed also uses the less traditional method of delivery to help get food to people who may not otherwise use a foodbank.
He now has more than 280 volunteers who have helped deliver food to around 45,000 people since its inception in 2016.
"There is a big problem with the foodbank system," Mr Hameed said.
"Here's the scenario. You have a mother with two kids and she goes to the cash point to find, low and behold, she has no money.
"Some foodbanks require a voucher, but it's Friday night - so how is she going to feed her family on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with no money?
"Most of us live hand-to-mouth and sometimes the nearest foodbank can be up to two miles away, so we operate as their go-between.
"This is what I looked at, this emergency that many people face. It's wonderful what Naheed is doing.
"It only takes one spark like her to make a change."
Mrs Khan said to make it work however, she will require donations and volunteers.
She is currently being supported by her nieces and other family members, such as her 12-year-old son Ismael - who even saved up money in his bedside draw to help her get her charity off its feet.
She said: "For me, as a Muslim, it's important to look out for my neighbours and my community and just see what I can do to help.
"I'm not saying everyone should do massive gestures, just chip away and make a difference that way.
"You have got pockets of people in massive poverty and kids going to school crying because they are hungry.
"People are moaning about computers and phones at school but there are people out there who cannot even put food on the table.
"I do want volunteers and I would love to get donations."
