All hands were on deck for this morning’s mission. We had an hour to lay out the whole food bank, including:

• Setting up the waiting area (tables and chairs)

• Laying all food and products out on tables

• Organising all boxes ready to restock if needed.

Three newbie goodgymmers (inc myself) nailed the task in half hour! There was a real team effort here between us and the food bank team, and we were pleasantly surprised by the offer of panettone at the end.

Mission: Accomplished

A productive power hour indeed as I joined the team at St Simon's Church in Shepherd's Bush to help set up their foodbank. The time flew by as I put up tables, moved and unpacked crates and sorted items before finally marking up a whiteboard with information on today's product availability.

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!