3 goodgymers made their way to the church to find customers outside more or less arguing who was 1st in the line. We did try to calm them down and we did say that the Foodbank was no yet open as too early. They all went back in line. First goodgym session for Serene found Goodgym when looking for local community missions. Welcome to Goodgym. Task was the usual of putting out the large tables, smaller ones with chairs and taking out the boxes from the storage room until the van arrived. Once the van arrived both Jonathan and Steph Ducattrollied the crates from the van into the church. We were not trollied 🤣. Serene was in the meantime helping out with sorting some of the pastries into smaller bags.

What an afternoon! 😄 Today’s pack-down session at St Matthew’s Church Foodbank was the perfect mix of teamwork, community spirit, and just a little heavy lifting… okay, maybe a lot! 💪📦

As soon as I arrived, I was introduced to Sian, who runs the Friday session with warmth and total pro-level organisation. She walked me through how the foodbank works—from the friendly welcome guests receive, to the 1-2-1 conversations offered for all Foodbank visitors to offer them extra support. ❤️

Then came the tour of the good stuff 👀🍞—fresh produce and baked delights generously donated by Gail’s, Bread Ahead, and loads of other brilliant local food spots. Honestly, it took all of my willpower not to “accidentally” drop a croissant.

I was joined by Thomas, who arrived straight after teaching at a nearby school (what a hero). Together, we were swiftly put to work—no easing in, no warm-up, just full send! 😆

🧹 The Pack-Down Mission

First task: clearing the tables! We boxed up leftover food, folded down tables like event pros, and set out chairs ready for the church service. It was a flurry of movement and mild confusion—exactly what you’d expect from two enthusiastic volunteers trying to look like they know what they’re doing.

Then came Diana, our stacking guru and patience-of-a-saint supervisor. She showed us how to pack food and personal care products into the smallest cupboard known to humanity. This was not stacking. This was Tetris on expert mode. 🎮

Me and Tom? Let’s just say… we tried. 😅 Around 50 boxes later, back muscles screaming and pride slightly wounded, we finally understood: this is an art form. Big respect to the weekly volunteers who do this like it’s nothing!

💛 Final Thoughts

Despite the sore arms and questionable stacking skills, it was an absolutely lovely afternoon. This foodbank has such a warm, buzzing community—everyone helping everyone, all powered by generosity and genuine care.

Thank you for having us! 🙌 Can’t wait to come back… and maybe improve my cupboard-stacking score. 😄

Steph Ducat arrived a bit early at the church and then started to help out when the Foodbank team arrived. Straight forward : move tables, set them up in the different areas, move crates from the storage to the tables, then setup tables with table clothes and chairs in the main hall ready for customers to be able to sit down later with a hot beverage and biscuits.Then it was time to unload the van and move the crates into the church for the other volunteers to lay them out on the tables. Once van emptied, had to relaod woth oaa the empty crates, plastic containers and cardboard boxes. Fin-tastic job : alot of fish tins mainly tuna delivered on top of the milk, juices, soup, vegetables, ready meals etc.. The team did a fin-tastic job today and were ready to welcome customers in the church.

First mission by Tim so a merry welcome!

Many lands make light work as the saying goes, and it was a pleasure to help move all the food in preparation for the food bank opening!

Pleasure to meet Ian and welcome him to his first goodgym mission.

With another pair of hands, we make quick work ferrying around the supplies for the food banks opening; a really rewarding experience!

Thanks to Hammersmith and Fulham foodbank for having us!

They were low on volunteers this week so appreciated two newbies to this task. Asma was keen to join the GoodGym after hearing me race on how great it is, and this session was near work that only required an hour away from the office. Looks can be deceiving...we started of moving the tables from the church hall to the front and I felt like She- Ra (80s character for those too young to remember ;) they were so light I'm sure I could have spun them on my pinkie finger and flung them across! Rest assured I wasn't brave to attempt that but cool to imagine it. Then the chairs were set up and next onto moving the boxes of goods into the side room. The City Harvest van arrived and this is where Asma learnt something she never thought of before, how to manoeuvre the trolley without dropping the pallets, but mastered it she did. After watching the trial and error, I decided it was easier for me to carry in the pallets. The donation of Gail's bread required slicing in half and bagging up yummy looking pastries. We left when the hot meals were being delivered as the other volunteers for the Foodbank were around.