A kind-hearted schoolboy who used birthday money to launch a foodbank has seen demand soar amid the cost of living crisis.
Isaac Winfield, 11, runs the venture out his garden shed.
He gathers various donations, such as food and toiletries, at his wooden workplace before taking to the streets of Redditch, Worcestershire.
There, he hands out bags of items to those in need of extra support.
Since starting the foodbank in 2020, the service has grown so much Isaac’s family bought a shed to store the hundreds of items.
Those in need are also able to go to Isaac’s foodbank shed, which is open 24-hours-a-day, and help themselves.
The schoolboy, who was born with a rare chromosome disorder, has been kept busy as more and more families require his help.
Claire said: ‘For his 11th birthday he just wanted foodbank donations and it was absolutely rammed.
‘He just wanted to get as many donations in as possible to help as many people as he can.
‘I see roughly five visitors a day. The shed is always open and they don’t need to knock and I know we get visitors who come late at night and avoid seeing people.
‘We think the situation for people is going to get worse and worse as the winter comes up. As it gets colder people are going to have to choose between heating and eating.
‘We’re stocking up on pet food, food, winter clothes and wellingtons to help people keep warm.’
Isaac started the foodbank service after he realised his new school didn’t take food parcels.
Taking matters into his own hands, he started collecting donations in a greenhouse.
He later expanded into a garden shed, bought by his parents, as demand grew.
Isaac has since attracted the help of big sponsors like Morrison’s and a local charity called Building Bridges to keep his foodbank operational.
YouTuber Mark McCann donated a fully taxed and insured van to help get the foodbank mobile.
What started as a small foodbank service from a garden shed has now become a fully fledged community project in Redditch.
Claire added: ‘Isaac’s always been very kind-hearted. Anything he comes across he always wants to stop and help. I’m very blessed.
‘It’s massively helped with his confidence, with his disability it has massively helped.
‘To help all these people and hear how much of a wonderful job it’s boosted his confidence.’
Isaac has now been nominated for a local business award and hopes to open his second foodbank in the town next month.
You can visit Friend’s of Isaac Food Bank Facebook page to donate.
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