This foodbank has been run informally from Mrs T's drive since lockdown began and has supported many Acomb locals, but now many of her regular volunteers have gone back to work she needed a little bit of help from GoodGym.

I arrived early and the (initially slightly confusing) system was explained to me - first we tidy up, remove the recycling, sort out any new donations, and sort and clean the fridges as needed. Then we sort and pack staples (cereal, tinned meat and veg, pasta, teabags, pudding etc), veg (heavy veg at the bottom!), and fruit into 3 bags per household - extra big for family groups. Lastly go the milk, cheese and other fridge items, this week introducing the "salad bar".

Egg and Lizzie soon arrived and we divided up tasks and got stuck in. I was on fridge wash duty, and discovered a few of the milks had decided to escape and start to make cheese 😱 so lots of soapy water was required. I'm sure I can still smell off milk now... Meanwhile Egg and Lizzie started bagging up, including extra dog food for the known dog owners. These were described as "snack size" for the ever hungry Digby, so hopefully they have small dogs! I joined on bagging, and we soon got to the inaugural salad bar, racing to fill Tupperware with our giant spoons and various pasta salads. Lizzie and I also divvied up a giant box of eggs, egged on by Egg.

Many hands make light work / heavy bags and by 1:30 we had mostly finished so left the lovely husband and wife team and another local volunteer to it. The bags will either by collected, hand delivered if close or local delivery drivers will come by to fetch them.