Dulwich food bank help needed

[James Malone]

Hi gang,

If this post is inappropriate please let me know and I will remove it.

During lockdown I have been volunteering at the Albrighton food bank in Dulwich helping to feed lots of needy people. The food bank receives no funding from govt/Southwark council and 100% relies on donations. We are seeing an increase in numbers of people requiring assistance and are struggling to provide for them so thought I'd reach out to you all in case any of you may be able to help.

- Do you or anyone you know work in retail, catering or hospitality and may know of food that might be able to be donated? Maybe short date produce or over production that might normally be thrown away.

- Maybe you work for a company who might be willing to make the food bank a charity partner.

- Personal donations are also gratefully received, in particular non-perishable goods and hygiene products are in high demand. Sadly we struggle with getting enough nappies and other baby products so donations of those would be amazing.

- Finally if you have free time they always appreciate new volunteers. You can pick your hours and I've found it very rewarding, just pop into the centre between 10 and 4 Mon to Fri.

If you can help, drop me a personal message or contact the food bank directly. I've attached a pic of some flyers we had made that have all the contact details.

Attachments:

[carolinereuter]

Hi, I have a bike trailer that I am happy to donate. It’s old but can still be useful for collection and deliveries. I’ve contacted Steve but I think he’s away at the moment. I’m happy to help with collection or deliveries but work full time so it could only be a few hours from time to time.

[James Malone]

Thanks Caroline, very kind. I did ask when I started there whether delivery by bike would be possible but it seemed then that the logistics were beyond them, I haven't raised it since so your offer may now be gratefully received. I just work in the centre setting up and handing out the food.

[Peregrine Roscorla]

Hi James,

What does the volunteering involve, I have a lot of free time at the moment so happy to help?

[James Malone]

Sept 1, 2020 22:18:36 GMT Peregrine Roscorla said:

Hi James,

What does the volunteering involve, I have a lot of free time at the moment so happy to help?

Hey Peregrine, your help would be very gratefully received. We currently have a lot of students helping out but they'll all be going back to uni soon. Basically you'll be helping to unpack and put out any food that has been donated and then handing it out to the users. Like I said above you can pick your hours, for example I do a couple of days a week. Best bet is just to turn up one weekday between 10 and 4 and offer your services.

[Charlotte "Charly" R.]

Sept 1, 2020 19:17:13 GMT James Malone said:

Thanks Caroline, very kind. I did ask when I started there whether delivery by bike would be possible but it seemed then that the logistics were beyond them, I haven't raised it since so your offer may now be gratefully received. I just work in the centre setting up and handing out the food.

If you don’t need the trailer, Pembroke House (also a good bank in Southwark where I’ve been volunteering) might be able to use it! They deliver the food by bike. Unfortunately theirs was stolen...

[Joe R Booth]

Sept 12, 2020 8:19:56 GMT Charlotte "Charly" R. said:

Sept 1, 2020 19:17:13 GMT James Malone said:

Thanks Caroline, very kind. I did ask when I started there whether delivery by bike would be possible but it seemed then that the logistics were beyond them, I haven't raised it since so your offer may now be gratefully received. I just work in the centre setting up and handing out the food.

If you don’t need the trailer, Pembroke House (also a good bank in Southwark where I’ve been volunteering) might be able to use it! They deliver the food by bike. Unfortunately theirs was stolen...

The Pembroke House cargo bike was spotted by one of the riders and reclaimed this week Charly. Though a trailer might still be appreciated.