The Sikh Food Bank
1470. Charandeep Singh
Charandeep Singh, from Glasgow, leads ‘The Sikh Food Bank’ - a 50-strong team of Sikh volunteers who have delivered over 80,000 meals and food parcels to families across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen.
Charandeep, who is deputy chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, formed the initiative at the start of lockdown to provide support for shielding and vulnerable households. The project organises the delivery of groceries and cooked meals, as well as providing a volunteer shopping service for those who are self-isolating and a check-in phone service, available in both English and Punjabi.
In a personal letter to Charandeep, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“Over the last few months we have all been uplifted by the stories of those who have brought their communities together in the service of others.
“So I wanted to write personally to thank you and everyone involved with The Sikh Food Bank for the fantastic support that you have provided during our battle against Coronavirus.
“I was amazed to hear that your team of volunteers have now delivered 80,000 meals and food parcels to families across Glasgow and I am delighted to be able to recognise the scale of this achievement by naming you as the UK’s 1470th Point of Light.”
Chris Stephens, MP for Glasgow South West, said:
“I am delighted that Charandeep Singh, as the founder of the Sikh Foodbank in Glasgow, has been recognised through the Points of Light Award. This award is deserved recognition for Charandeep’s hard work, passion and dedication to helping others. While leading a team of 50 volunteers the Sikh Foodbank has delivered over 80,000 meals and food parcels, making a real difference to so many across Glasgow during the COVID pandemic, Charandeep is an inspiration and role model to us all.”
Charandeep said:
“It is a great privilege for ‘The Sikh Food Bank’ to be honoured with a Points of Light award by the Prime Minister. This pandemic has been a testing time for us all – that is why I and many volunteers made it our mission to provide food and support. Since starting ‘The Sikh Food Bank’ in March, we have delivered over 80,000 meals to those in need. The Points of Light award recognises those efforts and is dedicated to all our volunteers who stepped up to serve the most vulnerable in our communities.”
Pictured below: Charandeep (second from right) and volunteers (from left to right) Sanjeet Singh, Manreet Kaur, Perdeep Kaur and Gurdeep Kaur from The Sikh Food Bank with one of their food parcels
