While stories of hysteria, panic, chaos and mindless stockpiling have brought forth the selfishness of individuals during a crisis, some extraordinary individuals of the vegan community have figured out a way to make a difference to others.

The Worthing Herald has reported the story of Local resident Pia Offord, who launched the Worthing Vegan Food Bank Network after collaborating with local vegan businesses Field Row and Cactus Kitchen Gals in an effort to help the Worthing community cope with the ongoing pandemic. 

The bank will offer vegan food and hygiene products to anyone in need without discriminating between vegans and non-vegans.

“Seeing people struggle in supermarkets and reading many desperate stories on social media by fellow Worthing residents, I wanted to come up with a way to support our ever-growing vegan community,” Offord told the news outlet.

“I feel there is a need for an all-vegan food bank in our town, so I decided to reach out to various vegan-friendly, independent businesses in the Worthing area. Within the hour we came together to start the Worthing Vegan Food Bank Network.”

‘Drop-in, donate and claim’

The food bank is entirely volunteer led and relies on a ‘drop-in, donate and claim’ format to get its supplies of non-perishable, in-date food and hygiene products

The team is also working with local vegan business, Conscious Cow, to expand its services to include a vegan parcel-delivery service. 

“We are now working with further independent, local businesses on opening various donation and claim points throughout Worthing,” Offord added.

“We are also in the process of launching a donation-based parcel-delivery service with vegan shop and café Conscious Cow.

She urged for more participation and donations to make the service successful.

“For more information about how to get involved and to make use of this free service, search for the dedicated Worthing Vegan Food Bank Network Group on Facebook or contact [email protected],” she concluded.

• Read: Vegan cookery school sets up free food delivery service for vulnerable amid coronavirus outbreak

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