‘For Diwali we want to give back to those in need’

“Food poverty in London is increasing, and at this time of Diwali we want to give back to those who need it,” says Vaidehi Pattani, who helped launch a food hamper initiative in London.

Diwali Basket Brigade, which began in Birmingham in 2018, expanded to the capital the following year, and has since donated 19,000 hampers of food.

Charity trustee Ms Pattani said: “We try to give a range of cupboard staples and quick foods, and then as a nice treat we give biscuits and a bar of chocolate.

“One of our favourite things we give is a Diwali card to show that strangers care.”

The charity initiative hopes to spread the festival of light’s message of kindness and giving, by welcoming volunteers of all ages to pack and deliver the hampers.

“It started off as a just a few friends, family and work colleagues – now they bring their families and friends,” Ms Pattani said.

The hampers are packed and prepared in the week before Diwali, with volunteers organising the donated cereals, pasta, rice, tins and biscuits.

Children add handmade cards to the hampers, and once a final quality control check has taken place, a sticker is added and the bags are lined up ready for collection by food banks.

“This has become part of my run-up to Diwali every year – it feels really rewarding to help people locally,” one volunteer told BBC London.

Another, who volunteers with their family, said: “It’s a really enjoyable day taking part and getting together as a community and fantastic cause.

“Diwali is all about spreading love and this is a great way to kick off the celebrations.”

The 1,700 hampers prepared by the charity will be split among Foodbank Aid, City Harvest, West Hampstead Community Food Bank and Burnt Oak Food Bank.

Pranay Hariharan, co-founder of the West Hampstead Community Food Hub, said: “It’s extremely beneficial for us because the sort of products that come in the hamper aren’t what we are usually able to get – and people now know that these hampers arrive about this time.”

Foodbank Aid supplies 33 food banks across north London. These support about 20,000 people every week.

Founder Naomi Russell said: “People are struggling more than ever because of the cost of living.

“More and more working people are having to use food banks. The numbers have doubled since I started Foodbank Aid in 2020.

“It used to be people who are unemployed and unwell – but now it’s working people.

“There’s no question that charity and community are essential.”

Deepa Chauhan, from Burnt Oak Community Food Bank, said she launched the charity in 2021 in response to a huge need locally.

“Diwali Basket Brigade is a lifeline life charities like mine,” she said. “We don’t have massive budgets, we rely on provisions – these are culturally appropriate.

“Organisations like this really help us feed people especially over celebrations like Diwali – it really lights up their world.

“I have lived here all my life and to think that we are in the UK and food banks are a common necessity – it’s heart-wrenching.”

Among those who came to lend a hand packing the hampers was the mayor of Harrow, Anjana Patel.

“This is what Diwali is all about – giving and looking after the vulnerable,” she said.