February 14th, often marked as the season of love because of Valentine’s Day, is also a special day for the Food Bank community as it represents the day of its inception. 10 years ago in 2016, the Lagos Food Bank Initiative kicked off with a simple and clear mission; to feed the hungry and to reduce food waste so more empty plates are filled where needed. Today, that benevolent cause has grown beyond responding to emergency food relief to actively running 10 structured programs strategically addressing food insecurity, malnutrition, poverty, and food waste in our society.
With over 3.5 million individuals and families reached in over 170 communities across 15 states in Nigeria, Lagos Food Bank Initiative has proven to have had a decade of remarkable impact, touching and improving the lives of vulnerable people in underserved communities through nutrition and empowerment.
Addressing attendees of the anniversary outreach and celebration, the Founder/Executive Director of the Food Bank, Dr. Michael Sunbola, narrated the early days of the Food Bank and its humble beginnings, and how resilience and passion for the cause set the organization on an undeniable path of growth, surviving various challenges from funding to collaborations. He acknowledged the support and contributions of the individuals who believed in the organization’s mission long before corporate organizations, local and international, came onboard. In concluding an effortlessly delivered speech, he appreciated each and every volunteer who donated their time and other resources through the organization to impact the lives of those most in need of care and support.
Taking place at the Food Bank warehouse in Ikeja, beneficiaries of TEFAP (Temporary Food Assistance Program) were invited to receive food boxes to mark the special day. Mrs. Ayomakun from Araromi community, expressed her joy and gratitude during her testimonial with the Food Bank’s media team, where she made a revelation that as a mother of five children with a husband who has been seriously sick for years now, coming to the Food Bank for the fifth time to receive support is something her family will never forget, and will always remain thankful for.
In the midst of all the fun, refreshments, and networking activities going on after the distribution of food boxes, volunteers took their time to wish the Food Bank a happy tenth anniversary with lots of commendations for their service to humanity. Adeola, a 37 year old political aspirant from Egbeda, thanked the Food Bank for giving him as well as many other like-minded young people with a heart of service a platform to be able to help those in need without expecting anything in return. His bold claim embodied the true ideology of volunteerism, which is a significant tool in community development globally.
The highlight of the day was the special announcement by the Executive Director of the Food Bank on the launch of the new arm of the organization; Green Harvest Agri-food Initiative, an arm dedicated to promoting sustainable agricultural practices to improve food security and access to nutrition, reduce food loss and waste, and create a means of livelihood for the unemployed in our society. This new initiative promises to complement the significant strides of the Lagos Food Bank in addressing hunger, malnutrition, and poverty affecting vulnerable households in underserved communities nationwide.
