Community Food Volunteers come together for the first time since the pandemic started.
The event was organised by our Community Food Network to thank and celebrate the work of the wonderful volunteers who have been supporting our neighbours with food.
Hosted by Bob Smytherman, Worthing Town Crier and with music from Sam Flynn and Maria Henderson, over 50 volunteers came together to enjoy the musical entertainment and a pub quiz at The Rooms in Worthing.
“It’s been amazing to be in a room together, meeting other volunteers doing similar things and celebrating their fantastic work” – Paul Moore from Fishersgate Food Bank.
Sitting down to a feast prepared by Vice Puddings the volunteers battled it out for the winning title. There were a few tough questions from the quiz, prepared by Hayley from Worthing Food Bank, but Worthing Food Foundation managed to ace the rounds and came out on top with 41+9 points!
The Pub Quiz prize, was kindly made up of donations from supportive businesses, including Independent Worthing, HiSbe and The Dome Cinema, Roly’s Fudge and Lush Brighton, and was made possible by The National Lottery Community Fund.
Unfortunately, as food poverty is continually increasing, there is more need now than ever for voluntary organisations to support their neighbours with food. The local groups are calling for a Right to Food, Universal Free School meals and for local businesses and organisations to implement the Real Living Wage.
“While it’s so important to celebrate the work of our community volunteers it is impossible to forget the number of people in Adur and Worthing that will go without food this evening” – Sarah Davenport, Food Partnership Development Coordinator.
The Community Food Network are calling on A&WC to develop a Food Action Plan. The network approached the Councils in February 2022 to ask for continued support, while taking a holistic long-term approach to a community-led Food Plan.
If you are interested in volunteering for a local food project, you can check out the Community Works Volunteer centre.
If you would like to support your local community food group with a financial donation, please contact sarah@bhcommunityworks.org.uk or contact an organisation you would like to support direct (listed here).
