Volunteers' Week: Leigh Park 13ANK projects feed hundreds in need each week thanks to team of hardworking volunteers

Volunteers dedicating their time to FoodBank Po9 and LunchBank Po9 have supported hundreds of families since lockdown began, with the services run completely by selfless people giving up their time for free.

From taking over Bedhampton Community Centre’s kitchen while it is closed to collecting donations all day every day, the team has worked tirelessly to support struggling families and people in need.

Darren McKenna, director of 13ANK Community Interest Company which runs the projects, said: ‘Our volunteers deliver to more than 100 people every week across both projects, our kitchen team cooks more than 200 meals and our team collect from the donations from the community seven days a week.

‘They make me so proud that they don’t hesitate to support our community around the clock at a moment’s notice and build supportive relationships with everyone.’

Volunteer staff make up 100 per cent of the team, and all of the support comes from the generosity of members of the community donating food and funds to keep the hard work ticking along.

‘We are head and shoulders the most active group in Hampshire and a lot of families would have had no support at all in those first few weeks of the crisis,’ said Darren.

‘Our volunteer team has been the glue that has kept the community together while the institutions scrambled to respond.’

A nurse from Lancashire was so inspired by the work of 13ANK that she shaved her head to raise £1,500 for the services, but more help and support is always needed to ensure that enough aid is available for those who need it.

Darren added: ‘We’re looking for cooks, kitchen assistants, drivers and co-ordinators to carry us through the recovery period as people return to ‘normal’, and donations to help us stay fuelled and fed would be greatly welcomed too.’

Email [email protected] for more information about helping the team, or find 13ANK Community Interest Company on Facebook.

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