I help at foodbank.. we must care for everyone

I AM a volunteer at my local foodbank in Rossendale, Lancashire.

I have been here with my mum since I was eight. Like all young people at the moment I am self- isolating and keeping up with my studies, but I remain active as a volunteer with the foodbank.

The RAFT Foundation often has busy periods at different times of the year, such as Christmas and school holidays, but since before the lockdown there has been an influx of requests for help.

What has been offered? Sourcing enough food to include in healthy parcels is always a challenge. We anticipated this would get much worse especially when people were stockpiling and stores setting limits on goods.

But we have seen an amazing determination by donors, existing and new, to help us continue to provide healthy and complete food, toiletries, cleaning items, pet food and nappies.

After late night pick-ups from stores, my mum and I sometimes create food packages to doorstep on our way home.

I also help share short-date, fresh items, excess to that day’s requirements, with young homeless people’s hostels, and other food groups.

All of this we do practising social distancing, which includes a new contactless delivery method.

It has been great to see and be involved with new partnerships developing, including some store donation points, which helps make up for the fact that regular donation points, schools and churches are shut.

My mum says “food is important for the body, but good food is important for the soul”. Loneliness and the risk to mental health is one thing that is a real concern. I find it inspiring that local schools, in particular key workers’ children, have been making cards and writing letters to connect with the most isolated, providing a message of hope.

The main reason I got involved with the foodbank is because I was inspired by my mother’s pursuit to help others, increasing my sense of social justice and equality. To me it’s about doing what we as people should do, looking after neighbours, friends, families, because if we don’t take care of one another, no one else will. Economic disparities shouldn’t alienate people. However, food poverty isn’t just one isolated problem, it brings with it a whole host of other issues. I have been organising and hosting Christmas parties for people who have been the recipient of food parcels, with the idea of bringing them together to tackle loneliness.

This has helped me further appreciate my life and motivated me to help the families who aren’t as lucky to be able to enjoy their life in such a way.

Additionally, being able to see a smile on someone’s face from receiving a package of food fills me with such warmth, and I am able to tell myself I have made a difference that day, but it also charges me with angst that such a small act is needed to brighten someone’s day of darkness.

It has opened my eyes to the troubles people face in our society today.

■ Billie is an #Iwill campaign ambassador.