An amazing number of Goodgymmers responded to a request to support Maidenhead Foodshare with donations. Dozens of cans, packets and bottles were dropped off at various collection points, delivered via runs, walks and cycle rides. A great effort to support those in our comunity who need help, whilst getting fit. Epic result!

Maidenhead Foodshare is opening a new social supermarket facility, and needed some help in reorganising their space. Anita, Jack, Steve and Sheila joined 6 other volunteers in the old Tescos shop space. We were greeted by Debbie, one of the Foodshare trustees, and Vanessa who is currently on loan from Waitrose one day a week to contribute her retail expertise to the project. After explaining the tasks, we split into 2 teams and set about moving the contents of one set of shelves onto other shelves, moving shelving units and rearranging tables to become the new facility for preparing the Foodshare parcels. Then we moved crates of food into the appropriate places, ready for sorting. It proved to be a good physical workout, and with a can-do attitude we achieved a total transformation of the space in a short space of time - our contribution was cratefully received. We look forward to seeing the fruits of our labours.

Alice, Anita, Clara and Georgeta went to Foodshare Maidenhead this morning. We met at the venue along with other volunteers, we had a quick induction and then given our roles.

The GoodGym-ers were assigned to play the (expiry) Dating Game. This involved meeting loads of crates packed with food and sorting each individual item by the expiry date into Truly expired, Only just expired, Expiring as we speak, Expiring soon and Expiring next year or afterwards, while labelling them at the same time. So we had to get up close and personal with each packet, jar, bottle, can, sachet, etc. hunting for the sometimes well-hidden expiry date.

We quickly learned what our favourites were. Anita liked the larger jars and cans, Clara told us that the noodle packets were best avoided, Alice had to leave earlier so we didn't find out what her likes were, while I preferred the more intriguing and exciting world of tiny packets of spices. All in all, we’ve dated 23 crates of food, ending on a high with a crate of rice pudding for dessert! We were assured that even if appearing a bit tedious at first, this is a very important task and our contribution was very much appreciated and they have more exciting tasks awaiting for us!

First, welcome to Marina she joined GG and today was her first mission. Around 30 volunteers helped to empty the food share premises. Everything needed to be labeled in a box by year and type of food. We moved the boxes to the entrance so tomorrow they will be ready to move to the new place. We were working hard like bees in a beehive. With the same goal move as much we can to empty the shelves and shelves were also moved. So happy being part of the mission.

A return to the Ping Pong Parlour

Remember that novel evening in March, Once upon a town centre..., where GoodGym supported the Big Read book festival by stickering books and sorting donations in the Nicholson Centre's Ping Pong Parlour? Well this evening's community mission was a sequel of sorts - one that you would have dismissed as completely implausible had you read it a year ago.

3 days after the Big Read festival finished, Covid-19 was declared a pandemic, and the rest, as they say, is history...

Enter the hero of this tale: Maidenhead Foodshare. The charity was set up in 2011 to provide healthy meals to people facing poverty. During the crisis they have seen a huge surge in demand, and they have had to adapt in unprecedented ways - one of which has been moving their premises to the (former) Ping Pong Parlour in order to expand their operation and to facilitate social distancing.

This spacious ex-retail unit is now unrecognisable. A one-way queuing system is in place, leading to a line of tables with perspex screens, which are manned by volunteers wearing PPE. Behind this is a large store room with tidy aisles of donated food such as cereal, tinned meals, biscuits and long life milk.

The charity have a pool of volunteers helping with the mega operation of sorting donations and packing food parcels, but they need more help with tasks like cleaning, so here we welcome back those GoodGym characters from our earlier story!

Mop my run

Our task for this evening was to give the floor a good clean. Anna and Jess led the way with the brooms, and Ana, Amy, Christelle, Meggie and Vanessa followed with mops and diluted bleach. Check out Christelle's impressive figure of 8 technique in the photos!

It was a good upper body workout, especially as we were moving at speed to cover as much ground as possible before the Nicholson Centre closed for the night.

It was great to meet Debbie Gee and Lester Tanner, who do incredible work to run this impressive foodbank. It was also brilliant to meet volunteer Ofer, who already has her GoodGym t-shirt and plans to join us on a community mission soon.

After the task 6 of us had a lovely run, chatting and exploring the footpath along the Jubilee river from Ray Mill Island to the Bath Road.

We have lots of spaces on upcoming community missions with Braywick Nature Centre (this Friday lunchtime), Maidenhead Community Allotment, The Baby Bank and St Edmund Campion Primary (not listed yet but fingers crossed this will be next Wednesday evening). We also have some missions coming up in Windsor: helping Windsor Foodbank and the Windsor Homeless Project. The latest listings are always here on our 'happenings' page. See you soon!