Passing over a box to the man in front of me, I beam, knowing what this means to him and his daughter standing beside him. The box is packed with festive goodies – a fresh turkey, vegetables, stuffing, gravy granules, crackers, mince pies and Christmas cake, as well as a doll wrapped in shiny paper.
‘Thank you,’ the man smiles, his face a picture of relief. ‘Merry Christmas!’ I reply, turning to get another box for a young couple behind him. It was 23 December 2016 and for these families, those hampers meant they wouldn’t go hungry and they could actually celebrate the festive season.
I’d become the manager of a food bank in Southwark in London six years earlier, after becoming disillusioned with my job in property. It was heartbreaking to see grown men break down in tears, ashamed they didn’t have the money to feed their families, or overwrought mums who’d starved themselves so their children could eat.
Denne historien er fra November 30, 2020-utgaven av WOMAN - UK.
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Denne historien er fra November 30, 2020-utgaven av WOMAN - UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
EAT WELL (even on a budget) - Easy meals that make the most of your store cupboard, and won't break the bank
Courgette and pesto pasta
The CATCH
The house was perfect - so why was it so cheap?
Elizabeth and THE RAIN
She had made Lisa's life a misery- and now she was back
I won't stop taking my daughter out of school... - TO GO TO THE BEACH!
One mum tells us why fun, spontaneous days are sometimes more important than being in the classroom
Where's the JUSTICE?
Catherine Wardle's son died over a senseless Snapchat spat
Fat-shamed BY MY MUM
Gemma Hall, 28, showed off her snaps and got a dose of tough love
Fighting for SURVIVAL
When Danielle Camilleri collapsed at 40, the diagnosis was devastating
Finding love AFTER LOSS
As Kelsey Parker moves on after losing her husband Tom, we investigate how difficult it is to find love again in widowhood
Phil's revenge
Phillip Schofield is back on our screens after a 16-month hiatus and it seems it's all-out war between the former presenter and ITV.
'I'm too scared TO HAVE SURGERY'
Christine Lampard on gratitude, staying in shape and date nights with husband Frank.