Advent IMPact | Turning Surplus into Support: Easter Volunteering with The Bread and Butter Thing | Mikes Story

• by Olivia Lawlor-Blackburn
• Advent IM Blog General

Returning this Easter following his Christmas volunteering, Mike once again joined the team at The Bread and Butter Thing, a UK organisation that makes life easier for people struggling to afford food.

Much like Mike’s volunteering over Christmas, the work required vans to be loaded with bulk pallets and individual food bags before heading out to community hubs across the region. The team worked at pace to meet tight deadlines, often racing against the clock to ensure food reached people in need before it went to waste. During the Easter weekend the team packed for roughly 600 families per day!

“Easter can be a joyful time, but for many families it brings extra pressure. Bread and Butter helps take some of that weight off, making sure good food is there when it’s needed most. Our volunteers are at the heart of that, whether they’re getting food ready in the warehouse or welcoming people at the hubs, they create the warmth and dignity that makes everything work” – Beth Veitch, Head of Region, The Bread and Butter Thing

Bread and Butter now supports 155 communities across 34 local authorities, saving 9005 tonnes of food from going to waste, the equivalent of 21.4 million meals. All this is saving 22.5 million tonnes of CO2!

Following all of Mike’s engagements with The Bread and Butter Thing and supported by a genuine passion for food and cooking, Mike remains committed to tackling food waste. He encourages anyone who is able to take part, whether by volunteering, supporting local food clubs, or simply spreading awareness.

79% of members now eat more fruit and vegetables as a result of joining Bread and Butter and almost 4 out of 5 members say that Bread and Butter gives them access to to better food than they otherwise could afford. The Bread and Butter Thing is not just about food, its a community where 7 in 10 members say that since joining they feel more involved in the community and almost 2/3s of members say they feel less alone.

To learn more or find your local food club, visit The Bread and Butter Thing’s website and discover how you can help reduce waste, support families, and strengthen your community.