Year 5 and 6 pupils from Hereford Cathedral School have been volunteering their time to help out at Hereford Food Bank.

Jacquie Alsop (Hereford Food Bank Manager) and volunteers spoke with the children during the Harvest Festival service at Hereford Cathedral to thank them for the food donated and to inspire the children to get involved further.

Twenty-five Year 5 and 6 pupils went on to dedicate their time over the school holidays packing food bank parcels, sorting food and restocking shelves.

Mr Wright, Head of Hereford Cathedral Junior School, commented on the pupils’ experience: “Working with Hereford Food Bank has given our pupils the opportunity to appreciate and be thankful for all that we have. The process has challenged our pupils to empathise and identify with others, and to work together to do something good for the community.”

The pupils thoroughly enjoyed their volunteering experience: “Helping at the Food Bank was great fun and it was good to experience a proper job. If I had chance I would definitely like to help the staff and volunteers there again, they do a great job!” said Perdita in Year 6.

Others learnt how food banks are needed by people from all walks of life: Aidan in Year 5 said “It goes to show how fragile a ‘normal lifestyle’ can be and how a small event or patch of bad luck can make the tables turn so quickly.”

The Hereford Food Bank manager, Jacquie Alsop commented: “It’s great for the children to have an opportunity to see what actually goes in a food parcel, because if they’re shopping with mum or dad, they’re not necessarily thinking about how you approach every meal, whereas this is giving them an opportunity to identify three meals a day for seven days.”

To donate food to Hereford Food Bank please visit their website herefordfoodbank.co.uk or donations can be delivered to their premises at 41 Monkmoor Street, HR1 2DX, between 10-12pm and 1-3pm; Monday to Friday.