Tender Hearts Foundation has launched a food bank initiative in Lagos aimed at easing hunger among vulnerable women and families, as economic pressures continue to weigh heavily on low-income households.
The launch event brought together community leaders, beneficiaries, volunteers and representatives of First City Monument Bank, reflecting a growing collaboration between nonprofit organisations and the private sector in addressing food insecurity at the grassroots level.
Speaking at the event, the founder of Tender Hearts Foundation, Dr Sally Otihiwa, described the food bank as more than a one-off or seasonal intervention. She said the initiative aligns with the foundation’s long-standing mission of promoting compassion, dignity and hope among underserved groups.
According to her, the food bank represents a shared commitment between partners to ensure that struggling families are not left without support. She explained that Tender Hearts Foundation was established to touch lives with love and dignity, and has sustained this vision through programmes that focus on widows, vulnerable women and children.
Otihiwa noted that the food bank complements existing interventions run by the foundation, including the Free Circle programme, a business grant support scheme sponsored by FCMB. She said the organisation recognises the harsh economic realities facing many households and is intentionally combining immediate relief with longer-term empowerment initiatives.
She added that while food support addresses urgent needs, restoring dignity and hope within communities remains central to the foundation’s work, particularly at a time when inflation and income instability are pushing more families into vulnerability.
Representatives of FCMB commended the foundation for its consistency and measurable impact, especially its focus on women as key drivers of household and community wellbeing.
Speaking on behalf of the bank, Omobiyi Iyanda said the partnership with Tender Hearts Foundation was built on shared values and a belief in sustainable community development. He explained that the bank’s support has evolved gradually over time, expanding alongside the foundation’s programmes and reach.
Iyanda stressed that FCMB’s involvement is guided by a strong belief in women as agents of change, noting that when women are empowered, the benefits extend beyond individuals to families and entire communities. He added that the bank’s leadership continues to prioritise initiatives that support women across different social and economic levels.
He also highlighted FCMB’s financial products designed specifically for women, including microfinance loans ranging from ₦20,000 to ₦500,000, aimed at supporting women-led businesses at the grassroots and helping them grow.
The launch of the food bank underscores a broader effort by civil society organisations and financial institutions to respond to rising food insecurity in urban communities, while combining relief with empowerment strategies that strengthen long-term resilience.
