On Tuesday, 26th January 2010 Robert Halfon, the Prospective MP for Harlow Constituency, visited Harlow foodbank and met with staff and one volunteer to review the service provided by the project in support of local people in crisis.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Sometimes in this blog, I write about pretty tragic things, such as the Edlington Case and others like it, which show evil at its very worst.

But, as Charles Dickens wrote in The Tale of two Cities, in perhaps the best opening paragraph to any book ever written:

"It was the best of times and the worst of times...."

Today, in a visit to Harlow Foodbank, I certainly saw "the best of times".

At the Church Hall, in Great Parndon, I walked into the Harlow Foodbank centre - a warehouse of food. Tinned meats, teabags, pasta and much more besides.  I met with dedicated staff and a volunteer.

All the more remarkable was that this food had been donated by Harlow residents who, not only had given their own supplies, but had been out to specifically buy extra provisions to donate.  None of the food was old or opened and all was in its original packaging.

Foodbank is an incredible concept, started by Gary Knott of the Michael Roberts Charitable Trust.  It provides food support to those most in need by giving vouchers which allow the recipient to ensure that they have enough food for themselves and their family.  The food is distributed via a series of satellite stations based at churches around Harlow.

It really is an incredible concept - an example of all that is good about human nature: The social entrepreneurs that made Foodbank happen, the volunteers who do the day-to-day implementation, and, the givers who make certain that there is enough food to go around.  Social Entrepreneurship, voluntarism and generosity & faith of the human spirit.  The three key components of helping the disadvantaged.  Wonderful.