On Sunday 23rd October 2022, the Lagos Food Bank Initiative continued with the ongoing One Billion Meals Campaign in partnership with the Food Banking Regional Network and Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiative. The One Billion Meals Campaign is an initiative that aims at tackling food insecurity by donating food to the underprivileged and undernourished in under-served communities affected by the rising food inflation which is in line with the Lagos Food Bank Initiative mission to provide access to sufficient and nutritious food for all.

The distribution was carried out in Oke-Eri community situated in Oworoshoki under the Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria. It is known that Oworoshoki is unique as it connects the Mainland and Island areas of Lagos State via the Third Mainland Bridge, it is predominantly a residential area to low and middle income with a high population density.

The day started bright and sunny as volunteers were present in large numbers at the Food Bank warehouse to load the packed food boxes in the truck. The Lagos Food Bank team set out at around 9 am, but faced a challenge with one of the coaster buses on the way to the outreach venue, amidst the challenge, the volunteers maintained a high spirit as they anticipated another day to serve in the community. The team arrived at the outreach venue and the outreach activities kicked off immediately, which included offloading and arranging the food boxes at the designated space,coordinating the registered beneficiaries of the community, dancing competition among the children, health talk and distribution of other relief materials (sanitary pads, gently used clothes, shoes and bags).

The beneficiaries couldn’t contain their joy as they kept dancing and rendering prayers to the organization for the food and relief materials which will last them about 2-4 weeks. The outreach was successful as volunteers engaged in a dance challenge to round up the outreach activities.