It was a memorable Independence Day celebration for the beneficiaries of the Temporary Food Assistance Programme (TEFAP) of Lagos Food Bank Initiative, as the food bank partnered with Jemima Osunde to reach out to resilient families to inspire hope for many struggling families across low-cost communities in Lagos State.

Upon arrival, the partner of the day was warmly received by volunteers after a tour of the food bank facilities and a presentation of the strategic initiatives of the food bank in addressing hunger, malnutrition and poverty. In her address to attendees of the outreach, she said; “seeing many volunteers here on a public holiday truly shows our empathy and commitment to serving humanity, I am so honored to be a part of this impactful initiative and I hope to be here again and again.” Joining the food bank volunteers with her team, she fully engaged in the packaging and the handing over of the food boxes to the beneficiaries.

In his opening remarks before the commencement of the distribution activities, the Executive Director/Founder of the food bank, Dr. Michael Sunbola, appreciated the partner of the day for keying into the organization’s mission and vision, and also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the volunteers who showed up in numbers to support community development projects.

It was a joyful experience for the beneficiaries as they were engaged in fun activities besides getting food boxes, that saw a number of them receive gift items from the food bank. The women were seen dancing with Jemima as they showed their appreciation for the love and support. One of the women was spotted saying; “when I saw the call from Lagos Food Bank, I knew that I was getting food again.”

This day was a reminder that every small act of kindness contributes to a larger wave of change. Even on a holiday, the spirit of service can brighten the lives of many, showing that together, we can create a world full of compassion and hope, to foster resilience and sustenance in communities.