simon-file

22 HEART STREATHAM
The Food Care Packs Project
We heard about Afsha Mohamed and Rifka
Khan because as soon as the lockdown
started they were posting in our local COVID
Mutual Aid WhatsApp group for volunteers
to collect food packs from them to deliver
around south London .
The friends set up The
Food Care Packs Project
on 23rd March to help
vulnerable people in the
community. “Initially, we
made around 25 food care
packs and shared them on
the Lambeth Mutual Aid
page to encourage others
Nisha to set up similar initiatives
in their areas. This was
early in the lockdown, before Lambeth had
set anything up.” Said Afsha.
With the help of family, friends, mosques,
church groups, Mutual Aid groups, and other
organisations they have now supported many
people.
“Our packs have been going to the elderly,
single mothers, care leavers, those waiting
for Universal Credit or struggling financially,
those with health issues, women living in
refuges and many more.” Recipients live all
over South London and deliveries are made
by local people who have joined Streatham
Mutual Aid Volunteer groups.
“We have been sad to see people on
our doorsteps, who do not have enough
food - some have gone hungry for days
before reaching out. We have been able
to provide them with
practical help and
signpost them towards
long-term support,” said
Afsha, “The Streatham
community has been
amazing and so
supportive.”
The group has been able
to fulfil every request
for food with door to
Afsha
door delivery through
residents’ volunteering. “Everyone has had a
can-do attitude and whenever a request has
been put in for a delivery, someone has come
forward, in most cases within 10 minutes of
posting. I’m really proud to be from SW16”,
commented Afsha.
Recipients of the Food Care Packs have
made some heart-warming comments.
“l salute you ladies for your kind deeds..Stay
blessed and safe”
“I can’t thank you enough…You're all angels.”
“We don’t even know one another and have
never even crossed paths before… and you
cared for me”
“ I tell my family back home that you give
me food box for free and there is a Good
Samaritan. I also tell my friends; I cannot
keep it to myself! A million thanks!”
Afsha and Rifka are now also working closely
with SWAN (Southern Women’s Aid Network)
to offer food packs to those in need in South
West London. - Jane Wroe Wright
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