London firms step up for Hackney Foodbank

Businesses in London have been stepping up for Hackney Foodbank and committing huge numbers of man-hours to volunteering.

In the past 12 months, 15% of all volunteering at the charity was carried out by companies looking to give back to the community.  More than 1,719 volunteering hours have been carried out by corporates - from House of Hackney and Savills to financial data experts Factset.

Over 150 organisations have supported the charity with donations and volunteering in the last year.  Some have helped pack emergency food parcels, while others have taken part in the charity’s Supermarket Sweep challenge (competing to bring back the food bank’s most-needed items).

Head of Fundraising Jenna Fansa said: “We’re so thankful for the support we receive from companies.  We’re just a short hop from the City and our volunteering opportunities are a great way for firms to demonstrate their commitment to community and giving back and a brilliant opportunity to boost morale through team-building.

“With demand for our food bank up 30% in just a year, our corporate volunteer program is increasingly vital in ensuring we have the funds and the man-power to ensure no-one goes hungry.”

Since April last year, Hackney Foodbank’s Supermarket Sweep activity has generated more than 16 tonnes of food. The challenge is suitable for groups of 10 or more people and is one of the few volunteering opportunities in the area that can accommodate large groups.

Among the companies to have supported the food bank are Box, Burberry, Kennedy’s, AXA Health, Mony Group, TOMS, Jefferies, TransRe, Squiz, FGS Global, JLL, OCC&C, Mimecast and Vervaunt.

Hackney Foodbank is currently supporting an average of 750 people per week. In addition to emergency food parcels, many visitors benefit from help from the charity’s caseworkers.

To find out more about corporate volunteering opportunities, visit: www.hackney.foodbank.org.uk/partner-with-us