Paramount Community Day, an initiative of Paramount Africa to support communities with basic needs for their sustenance, was executed on the 11th of June 2024 through a partnership with the Lagos Food Bank Initiative’s nutrition intervention programs; EDUFOOD and TEFAP, where nourishing meals were provided for food insecure students in low-cost schools in Makoko community to encourage school attendance and improve cognitive development of young minds through EDUFOOD (Education Enhancement Intervention for Food Insecure Students), and food items alongside relief materials were distributed to resilient women and households in Iwaya community, in Lagos State, through TEFAP (Temporary Food Assistance Program).
Addressing attendees of the outreach in Makoko, the Senior Channels Manager, Paramount Africa, Busola Komolafe, highlighted the significance of supporting communities as a thriving organization especially in times of economic hardship is an obligation to ensure the well-being of the struggling populace. She also appreciated the food bank team for a successful partnership and advocated for more thriving organizations to key into the vision of the food bank and support the underprivileged for a more sustainable society for all.
In the wake of rapidly increasing prices of basic necessities nationwide, the outreach was timely and highly impactful, delivering hope to people in dire need of care and support. Speaking to a member of the media team, a beneficiary of the TEFAP distribution thanked the food bank and their partners and emphasized on her household challenges to feed regularly, testifying that the ‘Paramount Box of Hope’ will indeed go a long way in ensuring their nourishment for a significant period of time.
In his speech at the TEFAP outreach venue, the Executive Director/Founder of the food bank, Dr. Michael Sunbola, appreciated the partners of the day for a reoccurring partnership with the Lagos Food Bank to impact communities. He highlighted the hardship faced by many households in recent times and the need to address food insecurity as a growing menace in our society. In his words, “ending hunger requires a united front, and as a leading agency committed to sustainable solutions, we call on major stakeholders in every community to stand together in the fight against food insecurity, striving for a society where no one goes hungry.”
Also in attendance for both outreaches were the ever-committed food bank volunteers who remain steadfast in their support for community-driven initiatives, dedicating their time, skill and energy to ensure a seamless outreach process. Working together with representatives of the partner organization, they made certain that the outreach was memorable for the beneficiaries by making fun memories through laughter and dancing.