On Friday 22nd May, a team of seven crewmen from 27 Squadron at RAF Odiham volunteered their time to assist Basingstoke Food Bank with its re-location which enabled them to quickly become effective at their new site and ensured they could continue to deliver vital services to the local community.
The move of approximately 12 tonnes of food stock and office furniture from two locations, took the crewmen just eight hours to complete; a task which the food bank staff would have expected to take three days without 27 Squadron’s assistance.
Strictly adhering to PHE social distancing guidance, at least 47 pallets of stock were stacked and loaded onto HGV’s for shuttle runs and unloading at the new location. 27 Squadron’s involvement with the stock move was pivotal due to the substantial number of food bank staff that were shielding under COVID-19 guidelines.
As per the Squadron’s voluntary involvement in the previous food bank re-location, it was a pleasure and a privilege to be able to provide support to the local community, especially during the current situation.
Master Aircrew Jim Fowler, Senior Crewman on 27 Sqn
Having voluntarily assisted with the move of 10 tonnes of stock during the previous food bank stock re-location in March 2019, the services of 27 Squadron crewmen were once again requested to undertake this vitally important relocation, safeguarding the output of this vitally important service to the local community.
A humbling sense of achievement was felt by everyone involved and we are hugely thankful to the food bank staff for the belt-fed brews and endless supply of chocolate that kept us going throughout!
Master Aircrew Jim Fowler
The Basingstoke Food Bank is a volunteer run organisation that provides year-round support to the residents of Basingstoke and the surrounding area. The service has seen a rapid increase in demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst simultaneously facing the challenge of re-locating to a new location.
