Norwich Foodbank: Update 225, 06 June 2025

It’s volunteers week this week (first week of June every year!) and so I am including a few specific bits of recent feedback – as always, there are other things I could share but I am still bowled over by the lovely comments we hear and how much YOU receive by giving your time and energies and this is so, so encouraging, thank you.

Waitrose 

Over the course of last Thursday and Friday, we collected over 460kg in donations and just over £600 in cash and card gifts too which is incredible! Thanks to all involved and for the stories shared  One such story was that a young man came in, head down and the volunteer said he didn’t look like he wanted to engage in conversation but saw the team and asked if he could make a donation – then gave £100 and bought items too! What a great result! We also received this lovely feedback from a volunteer who hadn’t done a supermarket collection before: ‘I really enjoyed meeting people, hearing their stories and it was touching to see the kindness and generosity of people first hand.’ Lastly, someone who is part of a couple of different foodbank teams shared this: ‘I really enjoyed our campaign at Waitrose; there was a really good team of people with us! This is something I’ve noticed at Foodbank wherever you are working in the organisation people are passionate and caring, it’s the same at the centre, we don’t always work with the same people every time but I know it doesn’t matter as we all get along and do what is needed to serve and get the job done’. Very well said

Asda Hall Road

Our next supermarket collection will be a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at Asda Hall Road in July. If you are able to help, please sign up here

If you don’t ask, you don’t get!

A couple of years ago, Rachel attended a local food-y event and, after a conversation with a stall holder, we received a large amount of instant mash completely for free. The same event happened this year, but this particular stall holder wasn’t present so Rachel got in touch anyway (as the heading suggests!) and had a great result – 240 packs of instant mash arrived at the warehouse, again completely for free! Thank you Rachel and Deane!

Exhausting Donation

We had a message from Lewis who wanted to compete in the ‘Hardmoors 110’ – 110 miles within a 36 hour window   He asked for sponsorship on our behalf and also teamed up with a few local gyms to have collection points and two cars delivered the first part (!) on Tuesday (with thanks to the team for weighing it in so we could tell him that afternoon how much was there). Almost half a tonne was brought in – you can see it in the photo attached! – and he said more would be making its way to us as well. And the cherry on top, was that not only did Lewis WIN the event, taking 21 hours to complete it, second place was a whole hour behind him…! Massive thanks to Lewis and all who supported him. Evening News article

Interesting Read

Interesting article in Mens Health Magazine about a man who needed the foodbank, received ‘more’ than he expected.

Welcome / Welcome Back!

We have had a few new volunteers join us in recent months – some time ago (years I think) I would name people but I have got way out of the habit and so just add them onto this email recipients list! Welcome if I’ve not formally said that to you  I’m very grateful to Lesley who does the application and reference process, Jon who does the inductions, Peter and Christine who help with Assemble and drivers processing – team work makes the dream work – and certainly makes the foodbank work! I did want to specifically name two people who have joined us recently: we have welcomed back Charlotte who is helping in a few different roles over the next year, using this as the volunteering section of her gold Duke of Edinburgh award, having completed the silver award with us previously. We’ve also welcomed Nancy this week who has come all the way over from the US of A for a short period, but keen to get involved; Nancy left New York on Friday and one task I gave her is already done which is fab!

Good News Story

I have shared before about how a phone call can make a difference and here is another example: ‘Just had from a lovely lady – both parents are working, essentials are too high and struggling to afford essentials in the last week of each month. She has been referred to Citizens Advice and has a foodbank voucher and she’s very grateful.’

And Finally…

A Bible verse and prayer from Trussell this Volunteer’s Week:

2 Corinthians chapter 9 verse 7: ‘Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
While this verse is often applied to financial giving, the principle applies equally to giving time, energy, and talents—especially in volunteer service. It emphasises the importance of giving willingly and joyfully, which perfectly aligns with the heart behind volunteerism.

Your time is one of the most precious gifts you can offer—and you give it freely. This verse reminds us that it’s not just what we give, but how we give that matters. When you serve with joy, God sees your heart and delights in your generosity. Thank you for embodying the spirit of cheerful giving and for being a living example of God’s love in action.

Prayer:

Gracious God,
Thank You for those who give of themselves with joy.
As Your Word reminds us, “You love a cheerful giver,”
We are grateful for the volunteers who serve not out of obligation,
but from hearts full of love and compassion.
Bless their time, their energy, and their sacrifices.
May they find joy in their service and strength in Your Spirit.
Let their willingness inspire others and reflect the grace of Christ.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thanks everyone

Hannah