Is the Deptford Salvation Army foodbank like Santa's grotto? Yes, if you like yams, plantain and mango. Is my little dog whiskery, white-bearded and old like Santa? Yes, proudly so. Are all the foodback volunteers extra helpful and cheerful like workshop elves? Yes, extremely so. Was I red-faced like Rudolph after my cycle from Deptford to Peckham struggling along with a 7kg dog, 20kgs of veg and bread and under-pumped tires? Yes - embarrassingly so!

It was a fun mission, meeting lots of kind, helpful people along the way. I was pleased to say the quality of the food was excellent and will surely last a few weeks to a month. Sounds like recipients can visit the foodbank 6 times in 6 months, spacing it out however they wish. If you don't bring bike panniers, bring a shopping trolley for definite! Other visitors had brought their families along and loaded up.