Anya told us
“Previously (before lockdown), I was aware of some of the work foodbanks do and occasionally donated to them through my school, but living through a pandemic has given me a deeper insight into why people need them. The pandemic has meant that many more people have become reliant on foodbanks after losing work or struggling to pay their bills. I heard Marcus Rashord on the news talking about his upbringing and the fact that his and many families relied on foodbanks and it helped raise my awareness that many young children don’t get enough food and the importance of food banks, especially at the moment.
When I heard that one of my neighbours was regularly collecting food to deliver to the Muswell Hill Foodbank, I asked if I could help her out. I then decided to ask friends and neighbours if they could donate food and essentials which I have collected and taken to my neighbour where we have sorted it together. I have also been able to help with deliveries across Haringey and Barnet and have met some of the families the food bank works with. It’s been a really worthwhile experience for me and I hope other people might be inspired to help out too.”