On December 5th, 2025, the Lagos Food Bank Initiative (LFBI) hosted a deeply inspiring and memorable event in honor of International Volunteers Day for Economic and Social Development, a day dedicated to recognizing volunteers around the world whose selfless service strengthens communities and drives sustainable development.
This year’s celebration brought together volunteers of LFBI at the Food Bank’s warehouse in Mangoro, Ikeja. The atmosphere was filled with gratitude, reflection, and renewed commitment to the mission of hunger relief.
Volunteers remain the backbone of LFBI’s work, powering every intervention, from temporary food distributions to nutrition support programs and community-driven initiatives. The day began with a warm welcome from the LFBI team, followed by a presentation highlighting volunteer contributions over the years across all Food Bank programs.
Many attendees were moved as they saw the scale of their collective efforts, tangible proof that every moment spent serving contributes directly to improving lives across underserved communities.
The Executive Director/Founder of the Food Bank, Dr. Michael Sunbola, expressed his deepest gratitude to the volunteer community, highlighting their invaluable contributions to the impact journey of the Food Bank since its inception during his address at the event. He also emphasized that volunteers are a personal source of inspiration and motivation that keeps him going in the service to humanity. After giving a brief account of how the Food Bank started with merely 16 selfless individuals, he provided in monetary value the worth of volunteer efforts over the years which amounted to millions of dollars.
A key highlight of the celebration was an engaging fireside chat featuring experienced volunteers of the community.
The conversation explored:
- What motivates volunteers to serve consistently
- The challenges and joys of community service
- Opportunities to deepen engagement and improve volunteer experience
- How shared purpose strengthens unity within the LFBI community
Participants exchanged heartfelt stories and practical insights, while LFBI reaffirmed its commitment to providing a supportive, rewarding, and growth-oriented environment for all volunteers.
The peak moment of the celebration was the exclusive premiere of LFBI’s new documentary, More Than A Meal, produced by Bara, a powerful visual story capturing the passion, sacrifice, and humanity behind LFBI’s work.
The documentary took viewers behind the scenes, spotlighting:
- Real-life experiences during food distributions and outreach
- The emotional connections formed with beneficiaries
- The resilience of underserved communities
- The profound impact of compassion in action
Attendees described the film as touching, transformational, and a true reflection of the LFBI spirit. It served as a reminder that LFBI’s work is not just about distributing food, it is about restoring hope, building dignity, and creating pathways to a better future.
The event concluded with heartfelt appreciation messages to volunteers, recognizing them as the driving force behind every success LFBI has recorded over the years. Applause, and moments of reflection filled the room as volunteers felt seen, valued, and inspired to continue serving. A session of refreshments, music, games, and networking followed to ensure a memorable experience for all attendees.
The 2025 International Volunteers Day celebration reinforced LFBI’s belief that volunteers are more than helpers, they are partners, changemakers, and the lifeblood of community transformation.
As LFBI steps into another year of impact, the organization remains committed to strengthening volunteer capacity, improving the service experience, and expanding opportunities for meaningful engagement.
With volunteers selflessly available and committed, LFBI continues to make a powerful difference, one meal, one family, and one community at a time.