14 Acquisition International - Non-Profit Organisation Awards 2023 Financial Hardship Charity of the Year 2023 - Essex t the beginning of the first lockdown in 2020, 3Food4U was founded by Pesh Kapasiawala, who was inspired to make the mountains of industry surplus food and products available to vulnerable people in need. Rather than labelling itself a “food bank,” 3Food4U instead calls itself a community surplus hub, since many of the items it provides would otherwise be thrown away. Through this, it not only supports people and families in need, but also saves tonnes of food, clothing, and household essentials from being sent to landfill by large businesses and members of the public. Using traditional support systems can feel embarrassing and undignified for individuals in need, especially if they have always been self-sufficient until they fell on hard times. To use a 3Food4U hub, there is no need for stressful assessment or referral processes, instead those in need are welcomed with no questions asked. The charity prides itself on the culture of acceptance and friendliness amongst its hub volunteers, who make people who visit feel welcomed and not judged. Individuals can also access free job search assistance through the charity, which may help them reach the other side of their difficult situation. Additionally, 3Food4U is dedicated to supporting the mental health of the public, providing them with free counselling, free NHS health checks, and signposting to other available services. As well as this, the charity offers the opportunity for individuals to volunteer with its friendly team. One in four adults feel lonely, whether it’s occasionally or all of the time. The longer we feel lonely, the more likely it is that we will experience mental health problems. Volunteering can provide a sense of belonging and purpose, as well as the opportunity to make friends and connect with the community. This can reduce isolation and loneliness. A May23387 Earlier this year, Pesh Kapasiawala, Founder of 3Food4U, was one of 29 people in the country to be honoured with a British Citizen Award (BCA) at the Palace of Westminster on 26th January. The BCA was established to recognise exceptional individuals who work tirelessly and selflessly to make a positive impact on their community and society. Pesh was awarded a BCA for his outstanding services to the community, having volunteered for over 15 years, working with local schools, frontline agencies, churches, local authorities, and community groups. He has worked hard to build long-term sustainable solutions to the issues that affect vulnerable people in the community. The award also recognises the hard work he has put into creating 3Food4U, which is now one of the largest emergency food agencies in Essex and North London, supporting over 1500 families (equating to over 4000 individuals), seven days a week 365 days a year. They never close. As a result of the incredible work it does, 3Food4U has been awarded Financial Hardship Charity of the Year, Essex, in the NonProfit Organisation Awards 2023. The charity is constantly thinking of new ways in which it can help people in need, for example it provides access to school supplies at the end of August and runs dementia-friendly socials every month. We congratulate the charity on its success in the Non-Profit Organisation Awards and look forward to seeing how it continues to help vulnerable people in the years to come. Contact: Pesh Kapasiawala at pesh.3food4u@gmail.com Charity: 3Food4U Web Address: www.3food4u.org Based in Essex, 3Food4U is a community charity run entirely by volunteers, striving to provide a holistic approach to community welfare by providing basic groceries & household essentials, and a range of frontline agency services including for mental health and physical wellbeing, food education classes, job search, numeracy training, dementia/social cafes, and debt relief support to those in need. While many traditional support systems require proof, assessment, or referral, 3Food4U believes that such processes cause unnecessary delays and stress. Instead, the charity offers support to anyone who is brave enough to ask, treating them with dignity and respect.
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