Friday, June 13, 2025, was a truly remarkable day filled with joy and gratitude for beneficiaries of the Temporary Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) under the Lagos Food Bank Initiative. The day unfolded with energy and warmth as the food bank once again partnered with Access Bank to deliver food relief to some of the most resilient families in Lagos. TEFAP is a nutrition intervention that provides staple, culturally neutral food items to families facing food insecurity. Each food package is thoughtfully curated to sustain a household of 4–5 members for over two weeks, ensuring both nourishment and dignity in times of need.
As early as morning, hopeful beneficiaries began to gather at the Lagos Food Bank warehouse in Mangoro, Ikeja. There was a quiet excitement in the air, the kind that builds when support, compassion, and community come together. Volunteers and staff moved with purpose, carefully advancing the process for a smooth distribution. The Access Bank team were not left out as they rolled up their sleeves to join in at every stage from organizing logistics to personally handing out food packages to the beneficiaries. Their involvement demonstrated the power of corporate-community collaboration in addressing real-world challenges.
Olubukola Durowoju, Head of General Support Service at Access Bank, shared her reflections on the experience, saying, “It’s rewarding being here. I can see how our small actions are having great impact on the lives of people.” Her words captured the spirit of the day; a reminder that even the simplest acts of service can leave lasting impressions on the lives of those in need. The event not only served hundreds of households but also reignited a shared sense of purpose among partners, volunteers, and beneficiaries alike. It was about connection, community, and the belief that together, we can nourish more than just bodies, we can nourish lives.
Before the commencement of the day’s activities, the Executive Director/Founder of the Food Bank, Dr. Michael Sunbola, delivered a heartwarming speech to attendees of the outreach, which comprised of Access Bank team members, dedicated volunteers and the Food Bank team. “It is with great joy and gratitude that I welcome you all to today’s outreach. We are truly honored to be joined by our incredible partners from Access Bank, whose commitment to social impact continues to inspire us. This partnership represents more than just a distribution of food, it is a powerful demonstration of compassion and shared responsibility. Together, we are supporting vulnerable women and families who face the harsh realities of food insecurity every day.”
The timely outreach was a resounding success, seeing 500 food insecure women go home with much needed food items to cater for their households, fostering resilience and general well-being through the provision of nourishment