Food bank donation and distribution points

Find out where to find food bank donation and distribution points, when they are open, and who is eligible to use them.

All of the borough's food banks are staffed by volunteers and rely on donations from the public. If you are able to support a food bank please take your food donation to one of the organisations listed below.

Find out how to get help if you are struggling to get food and essentials during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What donations are needed by food banks

Milk (UHT or powdered)
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
Instant mashed potato
Jam
Tomatoes (tinned)
Cereals
Rice pudding (tinned)
Rice, pasta and couscous
Biscuits or snack bars
Sponge pudding (tinned)
Vegetables (tinned)
Custard (tinned)

Food banks and donation points

Lewisham Food Bank

If you need a food parcel, Lewisham Foodbank can support you. You will need to ask for a referral through someone like your GP, teacher, health visitor, housing officer, advice worker, social worker.

If you are unsure who to ask, you can call Lewisham Foodbank on the national referral helpline on 0808 208 2138. Advice Lewisham and Community Connections Lewisham, can make a referral on your behalf.

Food distributed by delivery only.

Hope Centre, Malham Road, Forest Hill SE23 1AN

Food donation drop-off available Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm.

Donate to Lewisham Food Bank online.

Alternatively, donate to any Lewisham Food Bank distribution point (see below).

Living Water Christian Food Service

Delivery service to SE4 area only. Anyone making a request will need to provide their: name, telephone, family size, allergies and dietary requirements.

Delivery will be weekly on a Wednesday only. Requests need to be made by 3pm on Tuesdays.

To make a request email Lwccfoodservice@gmail.com or text 07783441973.

Barley Loaves Food Service

Barley Loaves Food Service is closed until further notice

LewCAS Food Bank

For refugees and asylum seekers.

Food distributions on Tuesday mornings at St John's Church SE8 4EA, 11am–1pm.

Contact Peter on peter.stjohnsdeptford@gmail.com or 07786160993.

Whitefoot & Downham Community Food Project

Hope Church Downham (formerly Christian Centre), Downham BR1 5SF

Contact: info@wdcfplus.org.uk or 020 8698 7945

Criteria: anyone in hardship – proof of address or benefit required.

Food distribution: Thursdays from 7pm to 8.30pm.

Food donations: Thursdays, 2–5pm. Or at Brook Lane Community Church, BR1 4PX, Monday–Friday 10am–12 noon. Please call beforehand: 02086987945.

Hope Church, Downham BR1 4PX

Wednesday 10am to 12 noon.

Elim Pentecostal Church, 8–10 Allerford Road, Catford SE6 2XL

Closed until further notice due to COVID-19.

St James Church, New Cross SE14 6AD

Closed until further notice due to COVID-19.

Eliot Bank and Kelvin Grove Children's Centre Food Bank

Provide food and basic essentials for people in need in the local community. You can self-refer but you will need to register with the centre when you arrive.

Grove Children's Centre, Kirkdale, Sydenham SE26 6BB.

Wednesdays, 11am to 12.30pm.

Contact: 02086130172.

Salvation Army (Deptford Church and Community Centre)

Provide food for anyone experiencing financial hardship in the SE8 area. Delivery only.

Accept referral from agencies or self-referral. Contact deptford@salvationarmy.org.uk.

St Peter’s Church Brockley Food Bank

Deliver food parcels and frozen meals in the SE4 area on Wednesdays.

You can request support from St Peter's Church Brockley on their website.

The Helping Hands Food Bank

Run by Action for Refugees. This food bank supports, refugee, asylum-seekers and vulnerable migrant families.

To make a referral or request support email foodbank@afril.org.uk.

We Care Food Bank

Based in Deptford but provide London-wide support.

Provides free food box deliveries. Can also give guidance on other essential support services.

Referrals only.

Call Ray Woolford on 07871187162 for more information.