Handling Food by The Tonne

Every Monday afternoon as part of the Alleyn’s Upper School Enrichment course, Year 12 students, Alfie and Mattie volunteer at the Albrighton Community Fridge in East Dulwich – an initiative working to support the local community with essential food and household items and reduce food waste among local retailers.

Since March 2020, the centre has become a Covid-Food Hub with increased opening hours and a wider range of goods to support those hit hardest by the Covid-19 pandemic as more families are struggling on reduced incomes and many people find themselves with no income at all.

It was then, during the second lockdown, that a team of Year 12 volunteers began helping out at the Community Fridge. Alfie and Mattie requested to continue their commitment to the project through Enrichment this term. They shared their reflections with us.

Alfie said: “Since the early days of the pandemic, a small group of us have been a helping hand at the local Albrighton Community Fridge food bank. More recently, during 'Always Alleyn's' where we were connected for school virtually and had more time windows to engage in activities like these, a few more Year 12 students joined the pack. We utilised our Monday afternoon enrichment slots to help get ourselves away from the screens and, more importantly, help those who were suffering the worst of the second lockdown.

When we're there, we decant anything from potatoes and rice to nappies and washing up powder, into portion sizes to be labelled and distributed. Some of us also work shifts walking food boxes around the next-door East Dulwich Estate and some of also guide those at the front of the centre who are coming in to choose appropriate food and sanitary products to cater for their family's needs. Although working at the front is more immersive and rewarding, the simple works behind the scenes (handling food by the tonne - literally), which we get stuck into, go a long way and all food banks can see the direct impact that every volunteer brings.

The important message to take away is that everyone should get involved in doing something dynamic and impactful as it brings about significant positive change, and it is also such a great opportunity to meet new people and learn more about the realities of the world we live in."

Mattie added: “Every Monday afternoon, and often during the holidays, I sit down and place muddy potatoes into plastic bags. It's not complicated, not particularly interesting. But every week I enjoy it. Occasionally I get told to sort eggs or sugar. Those are good afternoons; my hands don't get muddy. Sometimes there'll be other volunteers there that we can talk to, but that's basically what we do. However, such a small and simple activity can go so far.

Without volunteers going once a week each, or maybe even more, there would be no food bank, no extra food for families who need it. Unlike the small portion of time I dedicate, this change is significant. Everyone should choose to put down their phone for two hours and go out and help. Not only do you help people, but it also helps you understand how people in your local communities live. And of course, it is an opportunity to meet new people. Everyone should be doing it, or something similar.”

Team Leader at the Albrighton Community Fridge, Paul Ruffley said:
“The ongoing involvement of volunteers from Alleyn's is really helpful. One of the things we do is use donations to buy staples like eggs, potatoes and sugar in bulk and then decant them into household sized portions. Having people I can trust to get on with this who do it quickly and accurately is a huge help when organising the Fridge and we're really grateful to the Alleyn's volunteers who come along and get stuck in. For people who need the food bank, all our volunteers, however much in the background, are making a difference so thank you.”

If you would like to donate to the Albrighton Community Fridge, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/albrightoncommunitycentre