Food Bank Aid founder is served up top community award

A woman whose charity helps feed 20,000 people every week has been presented with a prestigious community award.

Naomi Russell is the founder and co-chair of Food Bank Aid, a Finchley-based charity which provides food, hygiene products and baby accessories to 33 foodbanks across north London and Hertfordshire.

On Thursday, she was presented with a Barnet Civic Award for outstanding service to the community.

Launching it in her garage five years ago, Russell has watched it grow into a much-loved community charity, which has donated over £2 million worth of products.

Russell, 65, told the JC: “I set up the charity just before Pesach when I saw everyone getting rid of their chametz. I thought it would be a good idea to give it to a foodbank, so I contacted [former Finchley and Golders Green MP] Mike Freer and asked him to put out a message to local residents in Barnet.

"Within 24 hours, we had filled a large van with food. I took it to Muswell Hill Foodbank, and they were blown away.”

Part of the charity’s success is that it is able to provide foodbanks with exactly what they need, says Russell. “We give the foodbanks a list of 100 products, and they can choose what they want from the list and how much of it. So, if a foodbank says that they need size 5 nappies for a baby, we can send them.

“We are also very culturally aware and provide to organisations such as Gift. We are very keen that people are able to cook food that they enjoy eating.”

Between 75 and 80 per cent of Food Bank Aid’s products are purchased from fundraising efforts. Others are donated by the public, who can leave surplus food and toiletries at one of Food Bank Aid’s 50 drop-off points. Russell says that kosher bakeries are also “really generous”, frequently donating their goods.

But, she says, it is the 400 volunteers, who pick, pack and deliver, who are “the engine” of the organisation.

“The community side of Food Bank Aid is very special. The Jewish community has been really supportive, but we welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. One volunteer was just telling me how Food Bank Aid has become such an important part of their life.”

According to latest figures, published in January, 14 per cent of households - an estimated 7.3 million adults - are affected by food insecurity.

Speaking to the JC after receiving her award from the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Tony Vourou, at the Food Bank Aid headquarters, as she had been unable to attend the ceremony, Russell said: “It came out of the blue, but it’s really lovely and a big honour.”

Paying tribute to all nominees and winners, Councillor Vourou said: “For a quarter of a century, the Civic Awards have been a beacon of recognition, shining a light on the extraordinary efforts of those who strive to make the borough a better place…Their work embodies the spirit of community and the values that we hold dear. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the nominees and award recipients.”

To get involved, click here or go to https://foodbankaid.org.uk/

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