Mrs. Dahunsi had not eaten a proper meal in three days. She had been rationing garri for her three children, skipping meals herself so they could have something to eat. Proceeds from her husband’s informal work had dried up weeks earlier, and the little money the family had saved went to rent and school fees. There was nothing left for food.

When she heard about a food distribution at the Lagos Food Bank Initiative‘s warehouse in Ikeja, she almost stayed away. She was embarrassed. But hunger prevailed.

What she did not expect was that the woman handing her a food box would look her in the eye, hold her hand, and place an envelope of cash into her palm. That woman was actress and humanitarian Annie Macaulay. The food box was provided through the Temporary Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), one of the Lagos Food Bank Initiative’s flagship interventions.

TEFAP is designed for some of society’s most vulnerable people, including elderly individuals, persons living with disabilities, people battling diet-related illnesses, and families pushed to the brink by economic hardship. Each food box contains essential staples such as rice, beans, garri, spaghetti, noodles, tomato paste, vegetable oil, sardines, seasoning cubes, and salt, enough to support a family for several weeks.

Speaking during the outreach, Annie Macaulay commended the Lagos Food Bank Initiative for its commitment to improving food security and praised its volunteers for their dedication to serving vulnerable communities.

Since commencing operations in 2016, the Lagos Food Bank Initiative has reached more than 3.5 million vulnerable beneficiaries across over 170 underserved communities through food relief, nutrition, education, and livelihood programmes. Through TEFAP, emergency food assistance is delivered to households facing severe hardship, ensuring support reaches those who need it most.

More than a food distribution programme, TEFAP is a reminder that no one should be forgotten. It demonstrates what is possible when volunteers give their time, partners lend their support, and communities come together to respond to hunger with compassion and action.

That day in Mangoro, Ikeja, Mrs. Dahunsi left with a food box, an envelope of cash, and something she had almost lost: hope.

And that is what TEFAP is truly about.

The Lagos Food Bank Initiative continues to invite volunteers, high-net worth individuals, corporate partners, and philanthropists to join this mission. Every donation, volunteer hour, and partnership helps extend the reach of programmes that bring hope to families when they need it most.