With the support of a number of other local churches, we host and run a food bank. We provide emergency food and support to anybody within the E4 postcode area experiencing crisis. In the twelve months to September 2018, we provided approximately 800 food parcels [click here for more details].
We operate under the umbrella of Eat or Heat (registered charity number 1154192)
Who can use the foodbank?
Anyone - if you live within the E4 postcode area and find yourself in crisis for whatever reason, we will help. Many people referred to us find themselves in difficulty because of debt, changes or delays to benefit payments, unemployment, homelesness, domestic violence, sickness, the added pressures during school holidays, etc.
Care professionals (such as GP's, health visitors, schools, social workers, church ministers etc) complete a referral and send it to us. Each referral will allow you to receive support from the food bank for up to four weeks. If continued support is needed, you may seek another referral. We are only able to accept three referrals for any individual within a six month period.
How can I support the foodbank?
We receive no support from local or national government, and rely completely on donations of food and financial support from individuals, schools, churches etc. We have seen an enormous rise in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, and are currently providing emergency supplies for over 40 local households in crisis each week.
Please consider putting one or two extra items in your supermarket shop to support local people in crisis. If it helps, a standard weekly food parcel will include:
- Cereal
- Soup
- Pasta
- Rice
- Pasta sauce
- Beans
- Tinned meat
- Tinned vegetarian meals
- Tinned vegetables
- Tinned fruit
- Desserts
- Tea/coffee
- Juice/squash
- UHT milk
- Biscuits
- Toilettries (eg soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sanitary products, toilet rolls)
Donations can be brought to the church - there will be volunteers available to receive donations on Monday mornings (9.30-11am).
Financial donations are also gratefully received. The foodbank is staffed entirely by volunteers, so all donations are used at specific points of need (eg to purchase nappies, formula milk etc)
Please contact us if you would like any further information or support.