Stefanie, Sam, and Ben braved a chilly Monday evening to run the 2.3 km each way to the foodbank drop-off location at ASDA in Hulme. Inspired by Random Acts of Kindness Day, we dropped off a range of food such as rice pudding, instant noodles, pasta sauce, and peanut butter. All part of the Holiday Hunger donation drive (details below), we hope that the small donation helps those who need it.

Manchester South Central Foodbank have a Holiday Hunger donation drive to help out those children who would normally get free school meals:

"Winter is a tough time for everyone. At our food bank we are currently supporting around 100 clients a week. With the rising price of food and bills, people in our area are struggling to choose between heating and eating. You can support people in your local area by donating to us. Last year we distributed 1033 holiday hunger food parcels to families in crisis. Our Holiday Hunger project provides a lifeline for families during the school holidays, by providing food parcels containing breakfast and lunch items and reading activities."

They also have online pages for donating items:

• an online donation site to donate food online that is delivered to their warehouse
• a monetary donation page too.

Manchester Central Foodbank also have a few locations in Manchester for accepting food donations to provide for those who need it. For other nearby foodbanks/donation points, Trussell Trust have a handy search tool.

In true Mancunian fashion, tonight's run took place in constant rain!

Despite the downpour, Peter and Ben made the fairly rookie mistake of loading their bags with lots and lots of heavy tins, jars, and cartons, forgetting that we would need to run with it for 2.3 miles down to Hulme to the drop-off point.

We had:

• Lots of jam
• UHT milk
• Pasta sauce
• A big tub of peanut butter (smooth)
• Rice pudding
• Tinned vegetables
• Tinned meat
• Spaghetti hoops
• Other non-perishables

Despite the weighted loads, we had a good run down to the big ASDA in Hulme with rain, and splash from the vehicles up on the Mancunian Way, keeping us soaked for the duration. While doing the drop off and getting a selfie outside, it was interesting to see a group of police officers getting keys cut using the Timpson's self service machine there - only the best and most secure of course.

Despite the rain, we were all smiles by the end, hoping that small good deeds can make a difference in the local community.

On a typically drizzly and gray Manchester day, 3 Goodgymers met up to run with fully laden bags to donate items to local food banks. Over the colder and darker winter months, with energy bills high and costs spiraling, food banks are becoming a necessity for many whether in work or not. The Trussell Trust do a fantastic job seeding food banks and supporting local groups and their website is a good start if looking to donate food.

We met up outside Manchester Central Library and the large lit-up Santa. As a sign, there was a row of tents and a gathering of local homeless people seeking heat and warmth with libraries now able to provide a safe space for many in need. With the MCR 24 hr run raising over £50,000 for the Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity and the Embassy Village gaining ground, maybe there is a glimmer of hope for those in need.

With lights and heavy bags, we made steady progress in the direction of Hulme where a large food donation point was accessible inside the large ASDA there. On the way, we winded around the busy roads and stumbled across Parakeet Parkway where a row of planters and planted trees made up 273 m of the cycle path alongside the main road. It really is amazing what can be done with such a space! After dropping off the items with an obligatory selfie, we made our way back a different way before taking a route around Deansgate before returning to St Peter's Square.

It was a great pleasure to welcome Steph Ducat from Goodgym Ealing who was nearby for work!! Keep an eye out for more Monday sessions with Goodgym Manchester.