Last week, members of the JSM team spent the day volunteering at the Barking Foodbank, supporting the charity’s vital work within the local community.
The team kicked off the day with a food run at ASDA, using a £400 budget to purchase essential supplies requested by the Foodbank. They then spent the remainder of the day categorising, dating and organising stock in the warehouse to help streamline operations ahead of a busy period.
The Foodbank’s Operations Manager, Funmi Ikele, shared her appreciation for the ongoing support:
JSM has supported our food bank faithfully for the past 3 years, volunteering at our warehouse. We appreciate every time they come because the help get so much work done. This time around, they came with a budget of £400 helping us to get much needed food items. We are so glad to see so many regular faces and we look forward to a continued partnership.
Alongside this volunteer effort, JSM will be collecting food donations throughout the month of April at both of our main sites in Potters Bar and River Road. All of which will be passed directly to the Barking Foodbank to support individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. This forms a key part of JSM’s annual commitment to giving back and supporting the communities where we work.
Reflecting on the ongoing initiative, JSM’s Environmental Manager, Claire Parsons, who organises the event each year, shared the following:
As Funmi shared, JSM has supported the Foodbank for the past three years, and the need for food assistance has grown sharply in that time. Our volunteers were struck by how low stock levels were this year, which prompted us to take further action. We’re launching a donation initiative to help replenish essential items, with a dedicated QR code and cash donation points at Potters Bar and River Road. JSM will match the total raised, enabling us to purchase priority supplies and deliver them to local collection points. We remain committed to supporting our communities and helping ensure vital services like the Barking Foodbank can continue their important work.
The day was a great success and further strengthens JSM’s long-standing relationship with the Barking Foodbank, reaffirming our dedication to supporting meaningful causes and making a positive impact within the communities we serve.