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I first volunteered around four years ago at the age of 75. At Ann’s request I was a “male presence” in the drop-in. I knew nothing about foodbanks until ours was set up, and I had some misgivings as to the need. But seeing desperate people coming to get food because of the sort of poverty I didn’t know existed soon erased all my doubts.
As the foodbank warehouse extended into the cellar, I helped out by installing extra lighting and power sockets. I now spend my time inputting voucher data onto the Trussel Trust database, and helping out at Tesco collections.
When the minister of the Baptist church moved away, I took his place as a trustee, representing Churches Together in Barrow. I accepted this with some trepidation as in all my working life I had never been in management, let alone a company director! However, the other trustees welcomed me and we have an excellent working relationship. As a member of the church I often liaise with the minister and diaconate with my “Trustee hat” on.
My wife volunteers in the warehouse so we are a foodbank family, and hope that in some small way we are not wasting our retirement, volunteering at the foodbank is a means of putting something back into the community, and it is much more satisfying than sitting at home watching daytime TV!
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