Food support services
These community projects offer free or low-cost food. You may be facing financial difficulties and need support or would like to eat with others at a community meal.
Food banks
Monday
By appointment only
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Lewisham Foodbank: People must have an e-voucher which can be obtained from a professional, or by calling Community Connections Lewisham: 0330 058 3464 or the National Citizens Advice Freephone Helpline on 0808 208 2138. There are five centres: Salvation Army Deptford, Mary Ann Gardens, SE8 3DP, Mondays 12pm – 2pm, Salvation Army Lewisham, 4 Albion Way, SE13 6BT Tuesdays 10am – 12pm, St John the Baptist Church (Downham) 353 Bromley Road, SE6 2RP, Wednesdays 12pm – 2pm, Perry Rise Baptist Church, Perry Rise, SE23 2QL, Thursdays 12- 2pm, Salvation Army Catford, 23 – 25 Brownhill Road, SE6 2HE, Fridays 10am–12pm.
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The Helping Hands Food Bank: This food bank supports refugees, asylum-seekers and vulnerable migrant families. To make a referral or request support call 07549031729.
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World of Hope: Based in Greenwich but with some distribution in Lewisham, they are offering food distribution supporting African, refugee and migrant communities across South East London with culturally specific food. Email info@worldofhope.org.uk or call 07776 992 138.
Tuesday
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Barley Loaves Distribution Service: The Ecclēsia (London City Mission) 1 Cornmill Lane, Lewisham SE13 7FY. Tuesdays between 7.30-8.30pm on alternate weeks: women one week, men another week.
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Evelyn Community Store: Evelyn Community Centre, Kingfisher Square SE8 5TW. Tuesdays 2-5pm. Providing food to Store members and delivering 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 visit the People’s Supermarket website.
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Lewisham Donation Hub: Unit D, PLACE/Ladywell (SE13 6AY). Food, clothing, home essentials. They offer a range of fresh and frozen foods, and a more limited selection of non-perishables, toiletries, women's essentials and incontinence pads. The service operates from 11am-2.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Support is provided a maximum of once per week. No booking required, service is weather dependent.
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Rastafari Movement UK Food and Wellbeing Project: Offering African and Caribbean cultural foods. Emergency delivery and doorstep befriending service for vulnerable households in Lewisham. Referrals can be made by emailing rmukwellbeing@gmail.com or calling 07769813799. Deliveries once a week Tuesday evenings. Users must register. A £2-4 contribution is required.
Wednesday
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Chinbrook Action Residents Team Food Bank: WG Grace Community Centre Courtyard, 1 Lions Close, SE9 4HG. Wednesdays 10.30-11.30am. Hot tea and coffee is also available. Registration can take place on the day. Must live in the Chinbrook area.
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Feed the Hill: Delivering food boxes to housebound people in SE4, SE8 & SE14. Boxes are delivered for free to those self-isolating or experiencing food poverty. Go to the Bold Vision website to register or call: 07748 713 212, by the end of Saturday for next week deliveries. There is also a small social supermarket on Wednesdays 10am-noon for people on low incomes who may benefit from spending less on their weekly shop (£2 per shop) no membership required, proof of address is required.
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St Peter's Church Brockley Food Bank: 43 Wickham Rd, Brockley, SE4 1LT. A Social Supermarket for people in the SE4 area. Pay £3 membership weekly fee and choose enough groceries to last a week. Request food via the website to get a shopping appointment.
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Lewisham Donation Hub: Unit D, PLACE/Ladywell (SE13 6AY). Food, clothing, home essentials. They offer a range of fresh and frozen foods, and a more limited selection of non-perishables, toiletries, women's essentials and incontinence pads. The service operates from 11am-2.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Support is provided a maximum of once per week. No booking required, service is weather dependent.
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Living Water Christian Centre Food Service: Honour Oak Community Centre, 50 Turnham Rd SE4 2JD. Open Wednesday evenings from 5.30-7.30pm. Check opening times by emailing Lwccfoodservice@gmail.com or calling 07783 441 973.
Thursday
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Lewisham Donation Hub: Unit D, PLACE/Ladywell (SE13 6AY). Food, clothing, home essentials. They offer a range of fresh and frozen foods, and a more limited selection of non-perishables, toiletries, women's essentials and incontinence pads. The service operates from 11am-2.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Support is provided a maximum of once per week. No booking required, service is weather dependent.
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Sydenham Community Supermarket: 9am-12 noon (term time), 1pm–3 pm (holiday) Kelvin Grove Children Centre, Kelvin Grove, Sydenham SE26 6BB Offering members low cost, healthy groceries for £4 a week or £4.50 card. Run by residents for residents. People can turn up and register on the day. Signposting and support available. They accept Healthy Start Vouchers. Contact: 020 8613 0172 or 074438 88181.
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Whitefoot and Downham Food Project: 7pm–8.30pm Hope Church, 480 Whitefoot Lane, BR1 5SF For those living in the Whitefoot and Downham area. Membership is £4. Members must register with a proof of identification and address, and able to prove receipt of benefits (excluding Child Benefit). Contact: wdcfplus@gmail.com
Friday
- Downham Gleaning Pantry: Brook Lane Community Church, 27-29 Brook Lane, Bromley BR1 4PX. Open Friday 9am-1pm. A social pantry for people on low incomes in Downham. Residents pay a membership fee of £3.50 a week to choose from a variety of food. To book an appointment email downhammutualaid@hotmail.com.
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Grove Park Emergency Food Bank Project: The Word of Life Church, Rehoboth Building, 72A Mayeswood Road, SE12 9RP (Community Resource Centre in the Lower Floor). Open Fridays 12-2pm. For people of Grove Park and the surrounding area in financial crisis or hardship. Bring one form of ID and one proof of address. Call 07930 958 097 or email info@wordoflife-lcc.org for more information.
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Lewington Food Project: Lewington Community Centre, 9 Eugenia Road, SE16 2RU. Fridays 1-3pm. A food bank for local residents. Operating on a first come first served basis. Call 07940 393 291 for more information.
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Pepys Social Supermarket: 2000 Community Action Centre, 199-201 Grove Street, Deptford, SE8 3PG. Open Fridays between 12-3pm for member who live around Pepys,Evelyn or Deptford. Pay £3.50 a week for the shop. Application form to join can be picked up at the supermarket or completed online.
Saturday
- The Life Giving Project: Pepys Resource Centre, Deptford Strand. London SE8 3BA. Open Saturdays between 11.30am-1pm. For anyone in need in the local area.
Sunday
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 meals
Monday
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Front Room Club: St Lukes, Northover, BR1 5JR Mon 10am to 2pm, Tues and Fri- 9:30am to 2:30pm. The Front Room Club is a cafe style drop in, providing a safe, welcoming and supportive place to grow. On Monday and Friday there is a lunch club where you can get a two course lunch for just £3.00
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Rehoboth Community Outreach: Ray Champion Room, 1-18 Allwood Close, SE26 4JP. Open Monday and Thursday from 11am-1pm. They can arrange deliveries for over 60s and families who would struggle to attend. Call 07487738908 for more information.
Tuesday
- Front Room Club: St Lukes, Northover, BR1 5JR Mon 10am to 2pm, Tues and Fri- 9.30am to 2.30pm. The Front Room Club is a café style drop in, providing a safe, welcoming and supportive place to grow. On Monday and Friday there is a lunch club where you can get a two course lunch for just £3
Wednesday
- FoodCycle Lewisham: Wednesdays 1.15pm Lewisham Irish Community Centre, 2a Davenport Road SE6 2AZ. Free sit down three course vegetarian community meal. Just turn up. Contact: lewisham@foodcycle.org.uk. Visit the FoodCycle website.
- Kings Church The Feast: King’s Church, Catford Hill, SE6 4PS. Every Wednesday 7-9pm. A free 3 course meal along with signposting and support. Particular focus is on rough sleepers and homeless people.
Thursday
- Rehoboth Community Outreach: Ray Champion Room, 1-18 Allwood Close, SE26 4JP. Open Monday and Thursday from 11am-1pm. They can arrange deliveries for over 60s and families who would struggle to attend. Call 07487738908 for more information.
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Seventh Adventist Church 430 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6LJ. Open Thursdays from 5-6.30pm, giving away a hot meal and groceries.
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Silver Lunch Club: Ageing Well for over 50s, Wesley Halls, 2 Shroffield Road, Downham, BR1 5PE, Thursday, 12.30-2.30pm, £5. Join for activities and a hot lunch. Regular activities include arts and crafts and gentle exercise.
Friday
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Front Room Club: St Lukes, Northover, BR1 5JR Mon 10am to 2pm, Tues and Fri- 9:30am to 2:30pm. The Front Room Club is a cafe style drop in, providing a safe, welcoming and supportive place to grow. On Monday and Friday there is a lunch club where you can get a two course lunch for just £3
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Ichthus Church Community Table: 1:30-3.30 pm at Ichthus Lee Green, 23 Lampmead Road, Lee, SE12 8QJ 07950 255 630 – A free main meal with dessert for anyone in the community. Signposting and support also available.
Saturday
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RCCG Faith Chapel Lunch Hour: RCCG Faith Chapel, 108 Brookehowse Rd, SE6 3TW. Open Saturdays 2-4pm on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. They offer a hot meal to takeaway for Bellingham residents.
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Lewisham Islamic Centre: Saturdays 4-6pm LIC, 383 Lewisham High St, SE13 6NZ. Hot soup to takeaway, served outside.
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UCKG Soup Kitchen: UCKG Help Centre 1 Bromley Road Catford, SE6 2TS 020 8698 3612. Saturdays 11am-2pm, continuing with provision of home cooked soup, meals, and surplus food such as sandwiches, bread and milk to choose from and takeaway. Meat and vegetarian options.
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FoodCycle Lewisham: Providing a sit down vegetarian hot meal from 1.15pm-3pm on Saturdays at Lewisham Irish Community Centre, 2a Davenport Rd, Catford SE6 2AZ.
Would you like to volunteer?
Most projects are staffed by volunteers and rely on donations. Check with the project directly to see if it’s a good fit for you.
Need support?
- Call Community Connections Lewisham (0330 058 3464 Monday to Friday 9.30am–4pm) who can find the best option for you and link you up to other support available.
- For financial support and advice call Advice Lewisham (0800 231 5453 Monday to Thursday 9am–12.30pm and 1.30pm–5pm).
- BetterOff Lewisham offers guidance on debt, budgeting, jobs and childcare. You can find out what extra help you are entitled to, and apply.