Milton Keynes Central MP spills the tea for UK's biggest day of faith-based social action
"Mitzvah Day is a real highlight because it's about how we give back to the people in our communities”
Emily Darlington, MP for Milton Keynes Central came together with 20 other Parliamentarians from across the political spectrum for a Mitzvah Day tea-packing project in the heart of Parliament.
Mitzvah Day, which is housed by JW3, is the UK’s largest day of faith-based social action. It will take place on Sunday 22 November 2026, although many projects run in the month leading up to the day itself.
Together the MPs sorted more than 1,000 tea bags into packs of 40, which will be sent to users of the 30+ food banks supported by Food Bank Aid. The Parliamentarians also wrote personal messages in cards that will accompany the deliveries.
Emily Darlington said: "Mitzvah Day is a real highlight because it's about how we give back to the people in our communities, and it's so nice that we bring it also to Parliament. It is about building community, remembering we're part of something bigger and that our neighbours are often people who need just that little bit of help."
The project emphasised this year’s Mitzvah Day theme of ‘The Joy of Giving Back’, as the politicians got stuck into the project while learning more about the meaning behind it from Food Bank Aid, JW3 and Mitzvah Day representatives, including Mitzvah Day Founder Laura Marks CBE.
Other MPs taking part included Adam Jogee, Alex Sobel, Anna Dixon, Christian Wakeford, Fabian Hamilton, Georgia Gould, Greg Smith, Harpreet Uppal, Ian Byrne, Jim Shannon, Joy Morrissey, Kevin Bonavia, Liz Twist, Peter Prinsley, Rachel Blake, Rebecca Harris, Rebecca Smith, Sarah Sackman, Stephen Timms and Tulip Siddiq.
The Parliamentary event, held inside the House of Commons, was organised in partnership with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Jews, Board of Deputies of British Jews and Jewish Leadership Council. All tea bags and cards will be distributed by Food Bank Aid, which supports 33 independent food banks.
Food Bank Aid CEO Alyson Walsh said: “Mitzvah Day harnesses people's enthusiasm for goodwill. We particularly see people coming together to share and provide food for people they may never meet, but whose tables and cupboards they're keen to fill. It truly IS a mitzvah!"