Willow Chowdhry (12 yrs) has been serving homeless people regularly since October 2020. Our young volunteer has enjoyed serving hot meals and drinks to up to 45 people a day and setting up and distributing a food bank.
Willow generally only volunteers on Saturdays but has participated a few times after school, as she has to travel with her mother Juliet Chowdhry when her coach arrives late from the grammar school she attends over 30 miles away from her home.
The experience has been very rewarding for Willow who one day hopes to become a brain surgeon or an F1 driver. Two very contrasting careers but equally desirable to her. Willow said:
“Serving homeless people or those struggling with money helps them a lot.
“I cant imagine what it would be like to not eat for a day, but many people have to suffer it.
“The visitors to our centre are so grateful for the food, it’s nice to see them happy.”
Willow wanted to share how the work at our ‘Meals for the Needy’ project is valuable to the people we help. She hopes it will galvanize more support for our work:
She added:
“When I started I did not know what to expect.
“I just wanted to help my mum because she broke her arm two years ago and it has not healed properly.
“But each day is really fun and I learn a lot.
“I get to do grown up work and helping people fills me with joy.”
Willow has told some of her friends about her volunteering and it is hoped they will soon join her in making a difference in the lives of others soon.
We recently wrote a report on the progress of our Meals for the Needy project, in view of the fact we are reaching our third anniversary. You can read more (here).
Running this project is expensive but we have in a very short while become the most popular hot meals for the homeless service in Redbridge. This is because of the numerous partnerships we have made with local people and businesses that ensure our food is varied, well cooked and healthy. We could not operate our service without your donations and we thank all those who have supported our work. If you would like to join others in supporting our work please donate by clicking (here).
