Finchley Foodbank volunteers Anna Maughan and Helena Pugh have been honoured with a ‘Town Centre Heroes’ award by the mayor of Barnet.

The nod comes as they pass their nine-year anniversary, having first launched the East Finchley service on 14th February 2013.

Originally, the foodbank was set up to provide visitors with enough food to last for three days, as well as much-needed essential toiletries – operating on a trust basis, without using a voucher or referral scheme.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, from March 2020 onwards, the food bank reacted quickly to respond to rising demand – as well as providing support to families living beyond the bounds of the London borough of Barnet. 

Currently, the foodbank is open on Saturdays, from 12pm to 2pm, at the Parish Centre behind St Mary’s Catholic Church on 279 High Road (N2 8HG).

Helena and Anna received their award at a ceremony attended by Barnet mayor Alison Cornelius, on 27th January.

And of the service, Anna told Barnet Post: “[Our] operation was small to begin with, helping just a handful of families. Over time the client base grew as more people fell into hard times, but nothing like it is now. 

“Currently, we are supporting between 110 and 135 households a week, helping as many as 500 individuals a week, of which more than a third are children. Finchley Foodbank relies on the support of the community for donations of food, time and money.”

The two women were among a number of Town Centre Heroes selected by Barnet Council for their outstanding contribution to the community during the pandemic.

Doctors, carers, street cleaners, community project founders and volunteers comprised the list of exemplary Barnet residents – all of whom represent one of seven town centres in the borough, including Cricklewood, Edgware, Golders Green, North Finchley, Burnt Oak and Chipping Barnet.

For more information or to donate to the food bank, visit Finchley Foodbank

To find out more the awards, visit Barnet Town Centre Heroes