We've had an overwhelming response to the call to donate to the local FoodShare, while out running or walking or cycling! So much so that I was inspired to write a little poem... and that is big, given that last time I tried, you could say it was under duress - school homework. * Well done everyone, amazing work! * Here we go, verses are mainly mine, but ran it under ChatGPT for a bit of refinement.

• We run, we walk, We skip, we hop, With bags of goodies—plop plop plop! At the Foodshare collection point we land, Lending a very helpful hand.
• Well done to you, you GoodGym lot, Every tin and packet means a lot. People will love the food, we hope, Fuelled by kindness, carbs, and hope.
• With lovely bright pics in the report on show, For all to smile at, cheer, and know— That a jog, a snap, a small kind deed, Can help a whole community feed.

🥫🏃‍♀️💛

12 Goodgymers made a big difference by donating food to their local foodbank. They ran, cycled and walked to do their shop and then dropped off either in a supermarket or at a community collection point. Gill even came all the way from Luton to visit her Dad, and made a donation locally. Thank you so much, and we hope you can join in with another community mission soon - we'd love to meet you! The Maidenhead Foodbank saw a drop in donations over the Christmas period compared to last year, so hopefully we will have done our bit to help redress the balance. Despite one of the photos suggesting otherwise, no donations were left on the doorstep!

An amazing number of Goodgymmers responded to a request to support Maidenhead Foodshare with donations. Dozens of cans, packets and bottles were dropped off at various collection points, delivered via runs, walks and cycle rides. A great effort to support those in our comunity who need help, whilst getting fit. Epic result!

Maidenhead Foodshare is opening a new social supermarket facility, and needed some help in reorganising their space. Anita, Jack, Steve and Sheila joined 6 other volunteers in the old Tescos shop space. We were greeted by Debbie, one of the Foodshare trustees, and Vanessa who is currently on loan from Waitrose one day a week to contribute her retail expertise to the project. After explaining the tasks, we split into 2 teams and set about moving the contents of one set of shelves onto other shelves, moving shelving units and rearranging tables to become the new facility for preparing the Foodshare parcels. Then we moved crates of food into the appropriate places, ready for sorting. It proved to be a good physical workout, and with a can-do attitude we achieved a total transformation of the space in a short space of time - our contribution was cratefully received. We look forward to seeing the fruits of our labours.

Alice, Anita, Clara and Georgeta went to Foodshare Maidenhead this morning. We met at the venue along with other volunteers, we had a quick induction and then given our roles.

The GoodGym-ers were assigned to play the (expiry) Dating Game. This involved meeting loads of crates packed with food and sorting each individual item by the expiry date into Truly expired, Only just expired, Expiring as we speak, Expiring soon and Expiring next year or afterwards, while labelling them at the same time. So we had to get up close and personal with each packet, jar, bottle, can, sachet, etc. hunting for the sometimes well-hidden expiry date.

We quickly learned what our favourites were. Anita liked the larger jars and cans, Clara told us that the noodle packets were best avoided, Alice had to leave earlier so we didn't find out what her likes were, while I preferred the more intriguing and exciting world of tiny packets of spices. All in all, we’ve dated 23 crates of food, ending on a high with a crate of rice pudding for dessert! We were assured that even if appearing a bit tedious at first, this is a very important task and our contribution was very much appreciated and they have more exciting tasks awaiting for us!

First, welcome to Marina she joined GG and today was her first mission. Around 30 volunteers helped to empty the food share premises. Everything needed to be labeled in a box by year and type of food. We moved the boxes to the entrance so tomorrow they will be ready to move to the new place. We were working hard like bees in a beehive. With the same goal move as much we can to empty the shelves and shelves were also moved. So happy being part of the mission.