A 60-year-old grandmother of seven from Birmingham has issued an urgent appeal for volunteers to support food waste charity FoodCycle during the school summer holidays. Marie Mardenborough, who has volunteered at the Kingstanding hub for five years, is calling on Brummies to help combat hunger and loneliness as families struggle with the cost of living.
Marie’s Five Years of Service
Marie has been a dedicated volunteer at FoodCycle in Kingstanding, serving free community meals every Saturday lunchtime at the Birmingham Settlement. The charity uses surplus food that would otherwise go to landfill to create nutritious meals for anyone in need. According to FoodCycle, 7.5 million people in the UK are living in households experiencing food poverty, a figure that drives the charity’s mission.
Marie said: "I volunteer because it boosts self-esteem, it creates a strong sense of purpose, and it reduces stress too. Volunteering helps me stay active and feel connected. I enjoy being part of something meaningful. I also enjoy helping fight food waste by cooking surplus that would go to landfill. We take food that would otherwise go in the bins, and then we think of a nice meal, and it comes out beautiful!"
Impact on Guests
The grandmother, who has seven grandchildren, highlighted the joy she sees in guests. "The impact on the guests is so important to me. When you're cooking and you come out of the kitchen, and you see how happy they are, that’s wonderful. They always say ‘oh, thank you so much, it's been a beautiful meal’. It’s great that they just want to come in, sit down, have a chat and have a meal."
Marie added: "I think we’re helping people by just sitting down and having a conversation. There are quite a few older people who come. They love to come in and get warm, and chat, and have a nice meal, and they leave happy, that they’ve got a nice full tummy."
FoodCycle’s Summer Appeal
FoodCycle needs to fill more than 8,000 volunteer slots nationally in July and August, a period when regular volunteers are often on holiday, students return home, and parents or grandparents are caring for children. The charity operates several hubs across the West Midlands, including Falcon Lodge, Quinton, Longbridge, Kingstanding, as well as sites in Worcester, Coventry, Walsall, Wolverhampton, and Dudley.
Teal Martin-Heaven, FoodCycle’s regional manager for the Midlands, said: "Marie is a fabulous volunteer and we’re so grateful for all the amazing meals she’s helped create over the last five years! We have a few different roles people can get involved with at FoodCycle community meals - from cooking, to serving food and chatting with guests, or delivering surplus food to our projects. We’d love for anyone who is interested to sign up via our website."
How to Get Involved
Anyone over 18 can register to volunteer with FoodCycle. Roles include cooking, hosting, and delivering surplus food. No previous experience is required, and full training is provided. Volunteers can choose to help at any of the West Midlands hubs. Marie urges Brummies to step forward: "Even a few hours a week can make a huge difference to someone’s day."
The charity’s 'Summer of Peas and Love' appeal aims to ensure that no one goes hungry or feels lonely during the school break. With rising food prices and increased pressure on families, FoodCycle’s free meals provide a lifeline for many. Marie’s message is clear: "Just come and see the smiles – it’s the best reward."
