AN INSPIRING business owner from Plumstead has set up a foodbank outside his shop to help people in need.

Tej Singh Chaggar, 35, launched the foodbank in January outside TSDesigns in Plumstead High Street, as he wanted to help those struggling in the area.

He told the News Shopper that he first thought of the idea to place boxes filled with essential food with his neighbour, Ade Gbadecro.

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Tej said he wanted to make sure that everyone has access to essential food and no one would go to sleep "with an empty stomach."

He explained: “I have seen some of the local community struggling with buying essential foods over the years.

“Our aim is just to give back to the locals who are struggling with basic food due to the rise of energy, petrol, food, and general expenses.”

Before the coronavirus pandemic, Tej volunteered with a charity called SWAT in central London where he would serve hot food to the community.

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He said the "sense of giving" back pushes him to help others and he is also motivated by his religious beliefs.

He explained: “I’m a Sikh, so giving back to others has been taught to us from an early stage in life.

“It’s all about giving and helping others and not expecting anything in return which is our core principle.

“We’re blessed to have a healthy lifestyle and we are able to feed ourselves so why shouldn’t everyone else?

“It doesn’t matter who you are, or what religion you believe in. We are one human race, and we should all help each other.”

It costs Tej and Ade around £50 each per week to fill the boxes to ensure that everyone would have access to food.

Tej said: “The cost doesn’t matter to us because we have the opportunity to feed other people.

“You can have all the money in the world and buy all the food, cars, or clothes that you want. But is that what life is about?”

Tej says he plans to keep going by helping others in need by keeping the foodbank running throughout the year.

He added: “I’d love to be able to expand the foodbank and do more but at the moment this is all that we can do.

“I’m hoping that other businesses get involved or even donate so we can give to more people.

“It’s amazing to make a change on someone just by giving the small things to them.”

Tej encourages other businesses in the area to get involved by donating to others and ensuring that everyone eats.

You can donate non-perishable foods to the foodbank which is located on Plumstead Highstreet outside TSDesigns.

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