Meet our Foodbank volunteer - Des
It's coming to the end of Volunteer Week, and today we're talking to Knowsley Foodbank volunteer, Des! Des and his wife, Sarah, have volunteered at Knowsley Foodbank since it’s inception.
We spoke with Des to ask him about his time volunteering with us…
How long have you been volunteering with us?
DES: I’ve been a volunteer for 9 and a half years at Knowsley Foodbank, but my wife Sarah has been volunteering at Knowsley Foodbank since the very beginning – they needed help with moving food stock around and that’s how I initially got involved. Since then, I’ve always volunteered at Knowsley Foodbank.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
DES: I volunteer to put something back into the community, and help people who are struggling and in food crisis. I have enjoyed my time volunteering, it’s why I have been volunteering for so long!
Do you have a favourite memory of volunteering or something that’s stuck with you?
DES: When a person comes in and they leave happy, that’s definitely my favourite memory. When someone comes into the foodbank upset and leaves with a smile on their face, it’s a really special moment to witness. Many people who donate food don’t get to see the impact that their donation has on those in food poverty, but volunteering at Knowsley Foodbank means I can see the positive impact food donations have on a family in need.
How has volunteering impacted you?
DES: It has opened my eyes to how many people are struggling, before volunteering I knew people struggled, but I didn’t know just how much until I volunteered at the Foodbank. I’ve seen how people’s struggles over the past 9 and half years has gotten worse, the foodbank is always busy – but there is spikes when it is busier than most; these days we’re busy because of the increase in bills.
Today I was at the new Food Club in Kirkby, it’s the first day of it opening and we had 20 new sign ups; without any advertisement! It shows that there is a great need for affordable food, and foodbanks.
