Goodgymers arrived with energy and positivity with a trip to the foodbank being the highlight of our current social calendars!

As usual, the order of the day was sorting, lifting and moving items with space at a premium for the Mike and his team of regular volunteers. In recent weeks the foodbank has had an influx of stock from generous members of the public, along with catering companies with excess stock as a result of the latest lockdown. Sadly, the foodbank has also seen an influx of clients needing support, with increased numbers in need since the pandemic hit the UK.

Shift one consisting of Robin, Jules, Detti and Sally got to work shifting festive treats for people in need. This involved a team effort moving the items and embarking on some high level Tetris action to fill the foodbank van. After this an industrial amount of juice needed to be sorted and dated, with long dated items going in to the storage container for future packages. The team went about their task at pace but with enough time for a natter about work, previous travels and how we were keeping ourselves busy in these strange times.

Sally, the shortest member of the group incidentally, then set to work clearing one of the top rows in the warehouse, abley assisted by Robin to sort and date juice in the warehouse. Jules and Detti meanwhile started sorting crates (and crates and crates) of tea in to date order. And like that, an hour and a half had flown by!

For shift two, milk was the order of the day! Nick, Naomi, Rosalind, Alastair and Mikaela set to work sorting milk in to date order with ruthless efficiency. Conversation flowed about celebrity friends and job applications as the milk flew in all directions. Such was the speed of shift two that the milk was sorted in double quick time, with a quick chance to make more space in the warehouse by organising some unsorted crates of squash which I’m sure the regular teams will appreciate! And just like that, it was dark (almost pitch black when I accidentally hit the wrong switch) and time to say our goodbyes.

Mike and the regular volunteers are very thankful for the help Goodgymers offer the foodbank with missions likely to continue for the foreseeable.