FOOD
No one in the UK should go hungry, but recent estimates of UK food insecurity suggests millions of households struggle to put food on the table... and the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation.
Many charities and organisations in the Food Aid sector have set up emergency support. If you're struggling to pay for food, find your local Foodbank.
To be able to access a foodbank you’ll need to be referred by one of the following:
A social worker
A children’s centre
Your local authority
Police or probation workers
A GP, health visitor or other medical professional
If you aren’t already in touch with any of the above, you can contact your local food bank directly to ask for help. They’ll work with one of their referring agencies to arrange an appointment with you.
Many churches are concerned to help families and individuals stave off hunger. Do not be afraid to approach them!
FIND A FOOD BANK
Food banks are grassroots, community organisations aimed at supporting you. Food banks provide a minimum of three days’ emergency food and support to people in crisis
If you live in England and Wales, are in financial crisis, and cannot afford food call:
(open Monday to Friday, 9AM - 5PM)
You will be able to talk to a trained Citizens Advice agent confidentially about your circumstances and if needed they’ll issue you with a foodbank voucher.
NATIONAL CHARITIES
(in alphabetical order)
Church Action on Poverty is a UK-based national ecumenical Christian social justice charity, committed to tackling poverty in the UK by supporting campaigns and projects such as Your Local Pantry. Pantries go beyond the food bank model. Members pay a small weekly fee, typically £3.50, for which they can choose at least ten items of food each week, along with additional opportunities of volunteering and training.
End Hunger UK is a coalition of more than 40 national charities, frontline organisations, faith groups, academics and individuals working to end hunger and poverty in the UK.
FoodCycle provide communal three-course meals for people at risk of food poverty and social isolation using surplus food in their kitchen spaces located across the UK
Healthy Start is a UK-wide statutory scheme providing a nutritional safety net to pregnant women and children under four in low-income families in receipt of certain benefits or tax credits. Click here to check if you qualify to apply.
Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN) seeks to connect and support grassroots independent food aid providers.
The Trussell Trust develops, runs, and enables community projects that combat poverty & exclusion, bringing communities together to end hunger and poverty in the UK. The charity runs the largest network of food banks in the UK, giving emergency food and support to people in need.
LOCAL CHARITIES
(in alphabetical order)
Caritas Food Collective is a project of Caritas Westminster, seeking to address food poverty within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Westminster. The project has three main aims: to provide direct relief, to enable food security, and to advocate for a fairer society.
Also, Caritas Westminster has established Community Hubs that coordinate parishes distributing food vouchers. Alternatively, check out the Social Action Map to find out what projects and services parishes in the area are offering.
Food For All is a volunteer-run and managed food relief charity based in central London which currently provides 5,000 free meals a day to community groups and local authorities, as well as on the streets for people without accommodation.