A Bermondsey woman and veteran foster carer, who runs a food bank four days a week outside the underground station, was recognised for her ‘tireless efforts’ to the community at an awards ceremony in March.
Henrietta Onyema, 66, created a pop-up ‘One Woman Food Bank’ outside her house in 2023 after the one at her nearby church St Peter & the Guardian Angels had to stop. Three years on, she sets up outside Bermondsey Tube Station from Monday to Thursday every week, offering food and supplies to those who need it.
Alongside her community work, Henrietta famously offered her home’s toilet to thousands of people queuing to see Her Majesty the Queen lying in state in 2022. This unselfish act saw her feature on the front page of the Southwark News and one of her toilet visitors was Dame Kelly Holmes.
On 28 March, she was recognised by The Good Samaritan Foundation and invited to their International Women’s Dinner and Merit Awards, where she was presented with a Special Recognition Award.
Dr Funmi Ademiua, founder of The Good Samaritan Foundation, said Henrietta’s “unwavering dedication to alleviating the cost of living crisis is truly commendable and an inspiration to many.”
Henrietta used to be a foster carer and cared for 89 children throughout her career, many of whom had experienced extreme trauma.
This is not the first time Henrietta has been recognised for her work. In 2023 she was presented with the Liberty of the Old Metropolitan Borough of Bermondsey at the Civic Award Ceremony at Southwark Cathedral on May 20, 2023.
