Food bank donation and distribution points

All of the borough's food banks are staffed by volunteers and rely on donations from the public.

Please note a listing is not an endorsement - check with the project directly regarding their service to see if it's a good fit for you and your needs.

Call Community Connections Lewisham (0330 058 3464 Mon to Fri 9.30am to 4pm) for help to find the best option for you and links to other support available.

For financial support and advice call Advice Lewisham (0800 231 5453 Mon to Thurs 9am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5 pm) or visit Worrying About Money

If you're able to support a food bank please take your food donation to one of the organisations listed below.

What food banks need

• milk (UHT, powdered or non-dairy)
• sugar (500g)
• fruit juice (carton)
• tea bags and instant coffee
• tinned meat and fish
• tinned fruit
• soup
• pasta sauces
• tinned pulses, such as lentils, beans, chickpeas
• jam
• tomatoes (tinned)
• cereals
• rice pudding (tinned)
• rice, pasta and couscous
• biscuits or snack bars
• sponge pudding (tinned)
• vegetables (tinned)
• custard (tinned)
• cooking oil
• halal / gluten free items
• vegetarian meals (non-perishable)
• no added sugar tinned fruit
• jam
• shower gel
• toilet rolls
• sanitary towels
• nappies
• washing up liquid
• strong carrier bags

Foodbanks and donation points

There are more details of community food projects providing free and low-cost food on Lewisham Local and Good Food Lewisham's websites: Lewisham Community Meals and Foodbank Provision or by using the Lewisham Community Exchange.

Please be aware services are subject to change. Please contact the projects to check current provision and that the offer is suitable for you.

If you need financial support or advice, please complete the Lewisham - Worrying about Money? form for services in the borough.

Lewisham Foodbanks

To use Lewisham Foodbanks, you must have an e-voucher which can be obtained from a professional, or by calling the National Citizens Advice Freephone Helpline on 0808 208 2138 or Advice Lewisham (0800 231 5453).

The foodbank currently have five centres operating:

• Salvation Army Deptford, Mary Ann Gardens, SE8 3DP - Mondays 12 noon to 2pm
• Salvation Army Lewisham, 4 Albion Way, SE13 6BT - Tuesdays 10am to 12 noon
• St John the Baptist Church (Downham) 353 Bromley Road, SE6 2RP - Wednesdays 12 noon to 2pm
• Perry Rise Baptist Church, Perry Rise, SE23 2QL - Thursdays 12 noon to 2pm
• Salvation Army Catford, 23 – 25 Brownhill Road, SE6 2HE - Fridays 10am to 12 noon

Dietary needs catered for. Offers advice service also in Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic and additional support like a fuel and clothing bank.

• donate to Lewisham Food Bank online

Alternatively, donate to any Lewisham Food Bank distribution point.

Distribution points

Barley Loaves Distribution Service

The Ecclēsia (London City Mission), 1 Cornmill Lane, Lewisham SE13 7FY

Mondays between 7.30pm – 8.30pm on alternate weeks: women one week, men another week.

They currently provide food bags to take away from outside and share words from the gospel.

• Barley Loaves Distribution Service
  

Chinbrook Action Residents Team Food Bank

WG Grace Community Centre Hall (enter via Courtyard), 1 Lions Close, SE9 4HG.
Wednesdays 10am to 11am.

Choose food from our selection. Also Tea and coffee and a friendly chat. Registration can take place on the day. Must live in the Chinbrook community, It's quick and easy to register, just bring your ID and proof of address - no referral needed.

Feed the Hill – food delivery boxes and social supermarket

Working with Bold Vision, Feed the Hill delivers food boxes to housebound people in SE4, SE8 & SE14. Boxes are delivered for free to those self-isolating or experiencing food poverty. Visit website or Text: 07748 713 212, by the end of Saturday for next week. Boxes are nutritionally balanced, dietary needs catered for. They run a small “social supermarket” on Wed 10am-noon for people on low incomes who may benefit from spending less on their weekly shop (£2 per shop) no membership required, please bring proof of address.

Grove Park Emergency Food Bank Project - Fridays

The Word of Life Church, Rehoboth Building, 72A Mayeswood Road, SE12 9RP (Community Resource Centre in the Lower Floor). Open Fridays 12 noon to 2pm. For people of Grove Park and the surrounding area struggling to put food on their table, or in financial crisis/hardship. Bring one form of ID and one proof of address. Tel - 07930 958 097 or visit their website.

The Helping Hands Food Bank

The helping hands food bank is run by AFRIL and Good Shepherds St Peter's Church Lee. This food bank supports refugees, asylum-seekers and vulnerable migrant families. To make a referral or request support email, visit their website or call 07549 031729. The food bank food parcel includes food staples, fresh fruit and vegetables and toiletries. Please note the foodbank has limited capacity and spaces are assessed on a priority need basis due to status and issues of hardship -currently Lewisham & Greenwich residents.

Lewington Food Project - Fridays

Lewington Community Centre, 9 Eugenia Road, SE16 2RU. Fridays 1-3pm. L&Q are running a food bank for local residents. It’s first come first served but they can take referrals and deliver on some occasions. Call 07940 393 291 for more information. Dietary requirements catered for.

Lewisham Donation Hub

Unit D Place Ladywell, SE13 6N. They provide emergency food support weather dependent, please check their website for up-to-date opening times to avoid disappointment. No booking required but check the website before visiting for important service information. All services are weather/volunteer dependent and ae subject to change. 

Living Water Christian Centre Food Service

Honor Oak Community Centre 50 Turnham Rd SE4 2JD. Open Wednesday evenings from 5.30pm-7.15pm (can’t deliver). Check which week is opening. Dietary needs catered for. The food service contact details are: email or telephone 07783 441 973.

Victory Care Food Bank

157-159 Lewisham High Street, Lewisham, London, SE13 6AA, Sundays 12.30-3pm, after the church service. Just turn up for surplus bags of groceries.

Community stores

Downham Aid Gleaning Pantry

Brook Lane Community Church, 27-29 Brook Lane, Bromley BR1 4PU. Open Fri 9.30am-12.30pm. Social Pantry for people on low incomes and affected financially in Downham. Residents pay a membership fee of £5.00 a week to choose from a variety of food. To book an appointment, please contact them.

Evelyn Community Store

Evelyn Community Centre, Kingfisher Square SE8 5TW. Open Tuesdays 2 – 5pm. Provide food to Store members and deliver food to vulnerable store members (£3.50 per week to use the store for those on low incomes). Free surplus food given out on Fridays. To become a member, collect a paper form or visit their website.

Feed the Hill – food delivery boxes and social supermarket

Deliver food boxes to local housebound people in SE4 and SE14. Boxes are delivered for free to those self-isolating or experiencing food poverty. Text: 07748 713 212, by the end of Saturday for next week. Boxes are nutritionally balanced and dietary needs catered for. Also run a small “social supermarket” for people on low incomes who may benefit from spending less on their weekly shop Wednesday 10 - 12 noon. They offer a weekly shop for £2.

Sydenham Community Supermarket

Thursdays, 9am to 12 noon, 1am to 3pm term times.
Kelvin Grove Children's Centre, Kirkdale, Sydenham, SE26 6BB.

Run by residents for residents. Complete online form to be considered for membership or collect a paper copy at Sydenham Community Supermarket. People can turn up and register on the day.

Pepys Community Store

2000 Community Action Centre, 199-201 Grove Street, Deptford, SE8 3PG. Open Fridays between 12 noon and 3pm for members around Pepys/Evelyn and Deptford who pay £3.50 a week for their shop. Application form to join can be picked up at the supermarket or visit their website.

Rastafari Movement UK Wellbeing CIC Project

Fortnightly Monday & Tuesday after 3pm.

Surplus and cultural food distribution to those in need of culturally relevant food and wellbeing support. Offering African and Caribbean foods, fresh fruit and veg via fortnightly deliveries and a doorstep befriending service for members for up to 12 weeks. £4 fortnightly membership required. Contact: email rmuk.info@gmail.com or call 07387 208519 to register in advance.

St Peter's Church Brockley - Social Supermarket

43 Wickham Rd, Brockley, SE4 1LT. A Social Supermarket for people in the SE4 area on Wednesdays. Pay £3 membership weekly fee and choose enough groceries to last a week. Dietary needs catered for. Request food via their website to get a shopping appointment. Can deliver to people in some circumstances.

A pop up café/restaurant is hosted by St Peter's Church on the fourth Friday of each month.

Whitefoot and Downham Food Project

Hope Church, 480 Whitefoot Lane Downham, BR1 5SF. Open Thursdays 7.30 to 9pm for those living in the Whitefoot and Downham area. You can just turn up. No delivery, pre-packed bags.