For over a decade, I worked in the heart of London’s financial district: The City -a place synonymous with wealth, opportunity, and competition. My office overlooked the River Thames, with a view of the Tower of London, and represented the pinnacle of success in the insurance consulting world. We were working on billion-pound projects, contributing to a global economy, and enjoying the luxuries that came with it: catered meals, bonuses, company cars and any other imaginable comfort which might make our lives that little bit easier us that little bit more productive.
But what I came to realise is that this world, while glamorous and rewarding, stood in stark contrast to the realities faced by so many others in the very same city; LONDON.
During MMC’s Volunteer Month, I swapped my emails and conference calls for lifting boxes in the FareShare warehouse. The experience opened my eyes to the issue of food insecurity and the power of community action. It was a stark reminder of the deep disparities between abundance and need, and it inspired me to find ways to give back.
Life in the City: A World of Abundance
Working in the City of London is an experience like no other. The environment is competitive, fast-paced, and full of highly educated, driven individuals. We weren’t necessarily doing work that benefitted humanity directly, but we were part of a system that helped people in various industries continue their work. The insurance market, though often criticised, plays a crucial role in enabling businesses to operate globally.
Yet, despite the sense of accomplishment, it’s easy to get lost in the bubble of success. From the office balconies, you look out over the City and assume that everyone else is doing as well as you are. You become accustomed to the perks of the job-free meals, catered events, and financial security. But as I commuted in and out of the city, I couldn’t ignore the glaring contrast between the world inside those glass towers and the reality faced by people just outside.
Volunteering with FareShare: Bridging the Gap
During Volunteer Month, I decided to use my time to make a difference in my local community by volunteering with FareShare, a charity that intercepts surplus food from the UK food and drink industry and redistributes it to charities and community groups. The mission is clear and impactful: to rescue food and transform lives.
In London, the surplus food collected by FareShare becomes nutritious meals for those who need it most-families, the elderly, homeless shelters, and schools. The scale of food insecurity is staggering: 8.4 million people in the UK struggle to afford to eat, a number equivalent to the entire population of London. And yet, over 270,000 tonnes of surplus food could be redistributed annually, enough to provide 650 million meals.
A Firsthand Experience of Food Waste
Volunteering with FareShare gave me a firsthand look at the impact of food waste and the importance of community support. While my usual work environment in the City was defined by excess-extravagant corporate lunches and catered events-the time I spent in the FareShare warehouse and on delivery routes revealed the stark contrast. What we often overlook in a single day could sustain entire communities for weeks.
FareShare’s mission isn’t just about sorting food; it’s about bridging the gap between abundance and need. Whether I was packing boxes in the warehouse or riding along in the van to deliver meals to local charities, I could feel the importance of each action. Every meal we packed and delivered had the potential to make a difference in someone’s life.
A Wake-Up Call: Reflecting on Privilege and Inequality
One of the most impactful moments of my volunteering experience was realising how close the worlds of abundance and need really are. As we drove through Zones 2 and 3 of London to make deliveries, I could often see my office building in the distance-a glass tower filled with wealth, where food and drink were freely available to everyone. But just a short distance away, families and individuals were struggling to put food on the table.
This experience reminded me of the biblical parable: “For to everyone who has, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from the one who has not, even what they have will be taken away.” In the city, those who have are often given even more-more opportunities, more wealth-while those who are struggling are often left further behind. Volunteering with FareShare made me again realise how easy it is to overlook the struggles of those outside our own bubbles of privilege.
FareShare’s Impact: The Power of Community Action
FareShare’s work is a beautiful example of how local action can address a global issue like food waste. By rescuing surplus food and redistributing it to those in need, FareShare not only reduces waste but also helps nourish communities. Their work connects those who have excess with those who are in need, creating a tangible impact on a daily basis.
Through volunteering, I saw firsthand the dedication of everyone involved in the FareShare network-from the warehouse staff to the delivery drivers to the volunteers who give their time. It’s a community-driven effort that brings real change to people’s lives, and it’s a reminder that we all have a role to play in creating a more equitable society.
Giving Back to the Community
My experience with FareShare has left a lasting impact on me. It taught me that while the world of the City of London may be one of privilege and abundance, there are countless people just beyond the glass towers who are struggling to meet their basic needs. Volunteering with FareShare gave me the opportunity to bridge that gap, even in a small way, and it reminded me of the importance of giving back to the community.
If you’re looking to make a tangible difference in your community, I highly encourage you to explore volunteering with FareShare. It’s more than just giving time-it’s about creating connections, reducing waste, and nourishing lives.
To learn more about how you can get involved and support FareShare’s mission, visit FareShare and consider volunteering or donating to help provide meals to those in need.