On Saturday, October 25, 2025, the Lagos Food Bank Initiative (LFBI), in partnership with Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), took the Temporary Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to Akodo-Ise, a coastal community in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Akodo-Ise is one of the innermost and underserved communities in Lagos, where residents face the harsh realities of coastal erosion and rising sea levels that disrupt livelihoods and threaten their homes. This makes access to food and sustainable income a constant struggle for many families.

Despite the long journey of over 3 hours to the community, volunteers were filled with excitement and commitment. It was a full demonstration of corporate social responsibility from RMB. Rather than standing by to observe, the RMB Team fully engaged in the outreach, moving, organizing, and personally handing food boxes to beneficiaries. Their hands-on involvement reflected genuine compassion and a deep commitment to making real impact within the community.

Families received nutritious food packages, enough to sustain a household for several weeks, while children enjoyed plates of jollof rice served with apples and school supplies, their laughter echoed through the community.

Speaking at the outreach, RMB CEO, Bayo Ajayi, emphasized the importance of providing temporary relief while also focusing on restoring and sustaining livelihoods for vulnerable communities like Akodo-Ise. His message underscored the need for humanitarian response and sustainable impact.

In his remarks, Community Leader, Adeniyi Yusuf, acknowledged the daily struggles faced by his people, expressing deep gratitude to Lagos Food Bank and Rand Merchant Bank for their timely intervention. “This support gives us hope,” he said, “and reminds us that we are not forgotten.”

Throughout the day, volunteers exemplified compassion, teamwork, and service, embodying the Lagos Food Bank’s mission to fight hunger and restore dignity.

As the outreach came to a close, smiles replaced worry on many faces. Families returned home with food and ignited hope, while the volunteers and partner carried back a shared sense of fulfillment; a reminder that when compassion meets action, lives are truly changed.