Today's Akwaaba soup kitchen was our biggest one yet! When I arrived at half 12 to start prepping for lunch there was already a queue outside the church gates, including a polite young man who seemed amazed I'd willingly volunteer on a Sunday. Thankfully we'd had a donation drop off from The Felix project this week, in addition to donations from local businesses, meaning we had plenty of food for all.

As soon as I'd washed my hands I made a start on packing up the dry goods for our takeaway packages. We had a lovely selection of snacks for our guests this week including goodies from Hotel Chocolat. Aware that word was spreading about our magnificent cooks we prepped 140 bags for today's session. Meanwhile the kitchen team put the finishing touches on lunch whilst the delivery team prepped 45 food parcels for those who are currently self isolating.

Having got very efficient in the last few weeks we prepped the takeaway packages with half an hour to spare. This allowed us time to make a pile of ham sandwiches for our non-halal guests. I also used this time to decorate one of the mini banana bread's Shanthi had made for one of our community's birthday and ensured it was safely packed in their food parcel.

Aware that there is an increasing number of mouths to feed the kitchen team had doubled their portions this week. We split into two groups, one serving up the takeaway food for our guests outside and the other making up meals for families. I was so focused on the task I didn't notice I was starting to feel faint until someone asked me if I was okay. I was quickly sent to sit down and eat whilst the rest of the team finished up serving meals for latecomers.

Feeling restored I collected the food parcel I was to deliver on my way home and set off. Today I was dropping off food to a family of six currently unable to go out to shop. The mum greeted me in the hallway whilst the kids waved from a safe distance. They were all very grateful to receive this week's food and sent me off with well wishes to keep safe.