Shining World Compassion Award Recipient: Pia Offord and the Worthing Vegan Food Bank Network – Caring for Community in Time of Need with Love for All Beings

Pia Offord, a community-minded vegan activist from West Sussex, United Kingdom, helps people in times of need and supports vegan and nonvegan neighbors by providing them with nutritious, plant-based food. In order to help residents of her town access food during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to assist the growing veg community, Ms. Offord founded the charitable organization Worthing Vegan Food Bank Network to distribute vegan groceries, vegan emergency food parcels and personal hygiene items on a weekly basis. Through this noble initiative, which began in March 2020, Worthing Vegan Food Bank has built a supportive network with local vegan-friendly groups and businesses.

“This is how it started, with a litter box at a little cafe. I have about 30 families, so about 80 to 100 people that we help on a weekly basis, but we're still doing exactly what we did a year ago. We might have started out of a pandemic, that sadly comes from eating animal. We want to turn this around, and we want to make sure that people understand veganism is the way forward. Veganism is something where we can feed the world.”

“What makes us definitely different is, as you can see, we do have a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables. We focus on at least 50 to 60 percent fresh fruit and vegetables, which is something that normal food banks just don't provide. We also started doing educational, more sustainable campaigns for families to sustain themselves.”

Upon learning of her benevolent deeds, our Cherished Supreme Master Ching Hai: “Thankfully present the Shining World Compassion Award to Pia Offord and the Worthing Vegan Food Bank Network, plus a US$10,000 loving contribution to further this caring endeavor, with all love and gratitude, in Heaven’s Grace.” “For selfless commitment helping the less fortunate, for uplifting the community spirit and providing hope and relief to citizens during troubled times, and for your considerate wisdom, we laud the compassionate deeds of Pia Offord. May God be forever by your side. With Love and Blessings in Heaven's Protection Supreme Master Ching Hai”