Amidst the tough and troubling times of COVID-19, Hampton School have raised food donations for a local charity called Feltham Food Bank.

During the month of November, Hampton School, located in Southwest London, have donated food to a food bank in Hounslow. So far over 80 crates of food have been delivered to Feltham Food Bank – a large success considering the local community had only a few weeks to donate. 

Feltham Food Bank are a nonprofit organisation who receive donations of food, toiletries and money from local schools, communities and individuals. Established in March 2013, they are run by volunteers and trustees and became a registered charity in 2015. 

 From June to December 2017 the Hounslow based organisation recorded 424 food parcels distributed, helping over one thousand people. A year later during the same time period the charity delivered 600 food parcels feeding 910 adults and 691 children. A further 127 adults and 122 children were helped during Christmas in 2018. 

People in need have struggled with the pandemic of the Corona Virus, particularly those who were already on the poverty line. “Its a very difficult time at the moment for many families and individuals in the borough, especially for those who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19,” says Omair Nazimi, a trustee at the food bank. While it is evident that everyone has been affected by the pandemic, these people in particular have had a hard time supplying food for themselves. “We feel very grateful to be given the opportunity to serve others,” Omair continues, “they need our help the most so we do what we can in order to support them.”

However, this isn't the first time Hampton and Feltham Food Bank have worked together. During the second half term in May 2020, the secondary school informed pupils, students and other people in the local area about a five week period in which they could give food to help others in need. In addition, during the recent summer break Hampton welcomed donations for a further eight weeks.

In times of crisis it is important that communities pull their resources together to help one another. Hampton’s donations will continue to allow a Feltham Food Bank to provide essentials to the less fortunate. With Christmas around the corner it is certainly a time of giving and hopefully these and future donations can allow families to enjoy themselves despite their situation.