No fewer than 1, 500 residents of Osun State went home happier recently after they encountered Fidelity food bank project. The beneficiaries comprise women, children, widows, and the elderly in a one-day feeding programme held at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Osogbo. It is part of the bank’s corporate social responsibility, CSR, and in this hard time the bank’s way of reaching out to the people to at least relieve them of the effect of the situation.
That is why Dr. Meksley Nwagboh, Divisional Head of Brand and Communication, Fidelity Bank Plc, who spoke at the event, described the Food Bank Initiative as the bank’s contribution towards helping the less privileged in society. Truly the Initiative was created to reach out to vulnerable persons and reduce the effect of hunger in society.
Nwagoh said, “Food security is a pressing challenge, and as a socially responsible organisation, we are committed to tackling this issue. We collaborate with various non-governmental organisations to identify communities in dire need and provide much-needed food support.”
Now the initiative is not something done once in a blue moon. Rather, it is a deliberate regular activity by the bank to ensure that more and more people are offered support through the programme. So, he said, “This programme is held every month, and the distribution of the food packs takes place simultaneously across all regions of the country. Today, we brought over 1,500 packs of food items to be distributed to the people and plan to continue to do more in communities across the country to help those in need.”
Reverend Father Michael Domingo of St. Benedict Catholic Church, Osogbo commended the bank’s initiative saying, “It is surprising and commendable that a bank in Nigeria is giving back to the community. We are aware that banks are known for taking, but Fidelity Bank is giving back to the people.
“The Fidelity Food Bank initiative is worthy of emulation, which is why the Catholic Church has a working relationship with the bank. We recognise its uniqueness and appreciate how it helps the community.”
Reverend Father Joseph Komolafe, the host priest, encouraged affluent individuals to follow Fidelity Bank’s example in combating hunger.
“You don’t have to wait until you have plenty before you give out. Share what you have, no matter how little, for the progress and development of society.”
