The Community Food Aid Project was born in March 2020, during one of the most uncertain times in modern history. The Covid-19 pandemic brought life to a standstill—streets fell silent, borders closed, and families everywhere faced hardship.

For many in London’s Latin American and Spanish-speaking communities, the situation was even harder. Language barriers left people without clear access to vital information. Irregular immigration status meant that furlough and government support were out of reach. Jobs in cleaning, hospitality, and care vanished overnight, and with them the ability to put food on the table.

In this atmosphere of fear and isolation, a seed of hope was planted.

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The Spark

It began with a simple, practical question: what will happen to all the school meals that were no longer needed with classrooms half-empty?

Mike and Irma Wootten reached out to local schools and discovered that surplus food could be redistributed. With Irma’s connections in the Latin American community and Mike’s willingness to drive and deliver, that food quickly found its way to families in need. What started as small deliveries soon grew, thanks to word of mouth and social media, into a lifeline for dozens of households.

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Building a Community Project

What began as informal support became something larger and more structured. By 2021, the need to formalise the work was clear, and the Community Food Aid Project CIC was created.

The mission expanded beyond food distribution:

• Translating health and safety guidance into Spanish so communities could understand and protect themselves.

• Providing essentials—from food to toiletries—to households left behind by traditional safety nets.

• Partnering with charities and community organisations to expand reach and impact.

• Offering solidarity and connection, especially to those isolated by age, health, or immigration status.

The project became a beacon of hope, not just for the Latin American community, but also for Portuguese speakers and other vulnerable groups who found themselves locked out of mainstream support.

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The Challenges Ahead

When the pandemic began to ease, new challenges emerged:

• Rising living costs left families struggling to afford basics.

• Energy prices soared, forcing many to choose between heating and food.

• Shortages in supermarkets meant less surplus food was available for redistribution.

• An increase in newcomers to the UK, often without secure income, added further strain.

Despite these obstacles, the project continued to adapt. Irma and Mike never stopped searching—visiting Latin markets, building partnerships with other charities, and seeking donations of food and essentials. Even in the face of personal health struggles, Irma remained dedicated to the mission, showing that true resilience comes from compassion.

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A Network of Hope

Through training such as Project Smith Community Connectors in Lambeth, Irma expanded her skills and connections, helping to link people in her community with services and opportunities that could improve their lives. Small victories—like finding a reliable new supply of toiletries within 24 hours—reminded everyone involved that even the simplest acts can make a profound difference.

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Our Vision

The Community Food Aid Project CIC is not just about food. It is about dignity, resilience, and hope. It is about making sure no one feels invisible or forgotten. It is about communities coming together, across languages and cultures, to lift one another up in times of crisis.

Our journey is still unfolding. The challenges may have changed since 2020, but our mission remains the same:

• To stand in solidarity with vulnerable communities.

• To fight food poverty with creativity and compassion.

• To ensure that everyone, no matter their status or situation, knows they are not alone.

Together, we believe we can create a fairer, kinder future—one meal, one delivery, and one act of solidarity at a time.