Volunteers with a community project that has provided a lifeline to many people during the pandemic have spoken about how rewarding they have found the experience.
3food4u has grown to be the largest food emergency food agency in the Epping Forest district in the space of six months thanks largely to the efforts of those who have given up their time to help.
Charity founder Pesh Kapasiawala said: “We're so proud and grateful to all our wonderful tireless volunteers who run the vital community surplus hubs, who organise the critical logistics of collecting and distributing food and clothes, very often during anti-social hours, who sort and stock take, who organise fundraising events including operating our charity shop, who write grant applications, who support with administration, PR, communications, website, social media and much more.”
Carol is another of the charity's volunteers
Volunteer Suzy Hearn said: “It is so wonderful to be part of this caring charity. It has enriched my life, I thoroughly recommend it.”
Danielle Bagshaw said: “Thank you for letting me volunteer, it doesn’t just help the people that come for support, it helps us volunteers to be humble and realise how lucky we are.”
Christine Brooker remarked: “This is the best volunteering I have ever done, the most enjoyable volunteering post of all time.”
3food4u volunteer Emma
Councillors have also given up their time to support the charity’s work.
Cllr Kevin Piggott said: “What matters is that people that need help can get it easily. Customers receive a welcome experience and hopefully go away happy and with food they have chosen. My experience is that no one is greedy they are very humbling.”
Cllr Stephen Murray added: “Volunteer teams work so well together. Also, there’s a lovely atmosphere of mutual support between users and volunteers. Loughton hub, which is my experience, is always welcoming and buzzing.”
3food4u volunteer Christine
Volunteer Rose Kearin said: “It is the most fantastic atmosphere; the people are very friendly, very generous and more importantly the whole ethos of 3food4u is something that really fits in with what I believe - if people are willing to come, they have a need.”
Georgia Maltese added: “It’s been good for structure, routine, and meeting people. I really like the ethos of the brand, it’s very much a non-judgmental zone.”
The charity has a fundraising page at www.give.net/3food4u
3food4u is supported by the Rotary Club of Loughton, Buckhurst Hill and Chigwell which is continuing to meet on Zoom on Thursdays at 7pm.
If you would like to attend, contact Pesh on 020 8500 2527 / 07973 166940 or email pesh@londonresidential.co.uk
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