August 2021 Newsletter

Last month we undertook our first Supermarket Collection since the pandemic began and we really enjoyed the experience. Not only did we appreciate meeting Tesco customers in Brixton and Streatham in a COVID-secure way but we were also delighted to receive an amazing 3 tonnes of much needed supplies! We want to say a special thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this event such a success and of course to the generous Tesco customers who donated so willingly.

Much like the recent Euro 2020 football tournament was delayed by a year, so too is this very important thank you to the Whoosh cycle team who raised a huge sum of money for us during a period of lockdown last year. When their plans to cycle in the Scottish mountains were scuppered by restrictions, they devised some local home based challenges instead. One of these was for 76 year old Peter McCleod who cycled a virtual version of a gruelling Tour de France climb! You can read more about their inspiring story here. Fundraising is one of the best ways to support us, why not visit our Virgin Money Giving Page and start your own fundraising page now!

Massive congratulations to BANKUET who have been listed as one of only 25 Trailblazing Newcomers in the NatWest SE100 Index 2021! We have  partnered with Bankuet since they first launched two years ago and love their commitment to providing food banks with the specific items that they require as well as simplifying the donation process for supporters. Just last month we gratefully received a donation of 5,000kg of food from Bankuet donors to help restock our shelves. If you would like to buy a Bankuet bundle for our Foodbank you can do so here.

2,083 people who had no recourse to public funds received parcels from our Foodbank between April 2020 and March 2021. One of those was Elsa who had made the perilous journey to the UK from Albania. She had fled for her life and upon arriving in the UK had been placed in a hotel room with her new born baby in appalling conditions. Elsa said “I didn’t know anyone and was scared. I have nothing. It was comforting to have support from the Foodbank. They called to check I was ok. They gave me food and clothes and nappies for my baby. They even got a buggy for me. They really helped but it isn’t enough. I have no money and I just try and get through each day. I am grateful but I can’t go on like this.”

Growing numbers of migrants without access to benefits are being forced to turn to food banks. The government must make it easier for people experiencing destitution to access support they need. Read more in the #StateOfHunger blog from the Trussell Trust.

Just a reminder that we have a Foodbank drop box at the fabulous Rookery Farmers Market that takes place on the 3rd Saturday of every month between 10-3pm in the Rookery Gardens on Streatham Common. Why not drop off an item of food while you browse the tempting treats offered by the wide range of stalls. The next market will be on Saturday, 21st August.

Please note that due to Covid-19, some of our distribution points are currently closed. Drop-boxes are still operating in various local shops across Lambeth. 

Please check our website for the latest information on how and where to donate food.

We have a number of options to suit your donating preferences, including our text to donate service where simply by texting ‘dinner 5’, ‘dinner 10’ or ‘dinner XX’ (insert amount of your choice) to 70085 enables you to donate the corresponding amount through your phone. Please click on the image above and download our ‘ways to donate’ info sheet to see all options available to you.