Volunteer works her way through Europe’s food banks

When Shonagh Merits’ marriage broke down she began planning her next adventure.

She packed her bags, left her home in Chicago and set off for Europe; volunteering in food banks along the way.

Shonagh Merit is travelling Europe - and volunteering along the way

Shonagh, 63, has spent much of December volunteering at Hackney Foodbank – before this she worked for a food bank in Léon. She’s been staying in Air B and Bs along the way.

She said: “This feels like a real fresh start – there’s freedom in travelling. I sold and gave away most of my belongings and set off for Europe. Everything I own fits into one small room.

“While I travel, I’m volunteering at food banks. I don’t have a home to go back to, yet I feel lighter than I’ve ever been.”

Shonagh, who had retired from her job running an accrediting program, first started volunteering for food banks in Chicago during the pandemic after the vaccination program had rolled out.

She said: “I wanted to do something more meaningful. I knew about the food bank in my neighbourhood. I saw the news; I knew the terrible stories and I wanted to help.

“Food banks are tremendous but it’s horrible that we need them.”

Shonagh is heading back to Chicago for a brief visit in the New Year before returning to Europe for more travel.

She added: “At some point I’ll have to figure out where my forever home will be!”

Hackney Foodbank has more than 100 volunteers working at its warehouse and food distribution centres. The charity is currently providing emergency food parcels for around 550 people per week. Demand increased by 55% this year, compared with last year and food donations have dropped.

The number of people aged over 65 needing support from the food bank has increased by 95% this year and the food bank is seeing rising demand from single parent households.

To find out more about volunteering, visit www.hackney.foodbank.org.uk/volunteer