The foodbank network works in partnership with local churches and organisations and has brought over 275 centres to communities across the UK. The charity’s aim is to provide a three-day emergency food box to those in the community that would otherwise go hungry for reasons such as unemployment, low income or illness.
And the community action volunteers from SSE were set quite a challenge by David Jones and Keith Selby, joint managers of the Chichester foodbank warehouse facility: sorting out 1.5 tones of food donated by the public. The team soon got to work by sorting items into groups, weighing boxes, then putting into date order and finally moving completed boxes into the adjoining warehouse.
The volunteers were able to do the work as part of SSE’s Community at Heart scheme, which gives members of staff a day away from the office every year to help worthwhile causes in the communities in which they live and work.
Keith Selby of the Chichester foodbank said: “SSE’s visit was well timed as the foodbank stock had just been transferred from a disused aircraft hangar to a more modern and convenient facility adjacent to the distribution centre in the heart of Chichester.
“The team from SSE sprang straight into action, impressing us with their spontaneous teamwork as well as gaining a first-hand impression of the front-end work of the distribution centre. A productive and happy day for all concerned.”
Sara McGreal, one of the SSE volunteers, said: “We had a fantastic day helping a charity that receives no funding, is run by volunteers and serves all walks of life from communities as far as Bognor Regis to Portsmouth. Our team worked well together and even managed some team bonding!”
