Food support
Help on Your Doorstep - if you are finding it hard to get or pay for essential supplies, we may be able to help so contact us. We work with Islington Foodbank to issue food bank vouchers. When you receive your food bank voucher, we will also book you a time slot to visit the food bank. This will allow our volunteers to prepare your parcel of three days of emergency food in advance, and limit the number of clients visiting at once, keeping everyone safer.
Islington Food Partnership helps you find local food services, emergency support, food growing initiatives and events to take part in. The have a weekly timetable for food support and activities
St Saviour's Church in Finsbury Park (Hanley Road) are offering a free community meal on the second and fourth Fridays of the month, 1-2pm. No need to sign-up, just turn up to the church building (N4 3DQ).
Christ Church Highbury Community Centre are offering free lunches for families over the summer holidays, starting from July 27th and running until the end of August. They will be hosting these every Wednesday at 1pm.
Hive Foodbank in N19, is open to voucher holders only. If you would like a voucher to get food from the foodbank please contact us at Help on Your Doorstep. The foodbank also needs donations to keep being able to help people.
St Lukes Community Centre are offering support to people living in St Luke’s area of benefit (primarily EC1 residents), including the Food Hub with income affected by Covid; individual grants for people with disabilities or health conditions; and a Monday to Friday Over 55s Lunch Club. Call 020 7549 8181 from 9am - 5pm Monday – Friday or email info@slpt.org.uk.
Mildmay Community Centre foodbank has become a co-op. The coop is run every Friday from Mildmay Community Centre, Woodville Road, N16 8NA. The fees are £1 per person in your household, including children. Please contact the centre on 02072498286, or email Lorraine on lorrainefood4communities@mildmaycp.org.uk. If you do not have access to a telephone or email, or are from our homeless community, you can visit the centre on Friday between 11.30am and 1.30pm to discuss your needs and how they can help.
Brickworks Food Bank runs every Monday- Wednesday 12-3pm from Brickworks Community Centre. Alongside food parcels, they try to provide other and non-essential and essential items for adults and children. To apply just complete this application form, you will need to provide proof of address and income, and email to admin@hanleycrouch.org.uk. If you are eligible, they will provide one food bank per week. Also, if you are unable to collect at the centre, they will do their best to have your food bag delivered to you. You can contact the centre on 0207 263 1067.
Elizabeth House The pop-up food store opens for residents every Tuesday from Elizabeth House Community Centre. If you need help and live in one of the following postcodes: N5 1, N5 2, N4 2, N4 3 and N7 7, contact them on 020 7690 1300 or info@elizabeth-house.org.uk.
Andover Community Centre Surplus Food Project on Friday. There are timed appointments by referral or 4pm drop in. On Saturdays at 1pm they offer a Takeaway meal through Food Cycle. For more information email andovercc@islington.gov.uk or call 020 7272 3493.
The Arc Centre Foodbank provides food packages to those in the neighbourhood who can’t afford to buy food. The boxes feature healthy essentials, with plenty of fresh produce, wholefood ingredients and store cupboard ingredients. The boxes feature healthy essentials, enough food for 3-4 days' meals. The foodbank operates on Tuesday 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm and 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm by appointment only (local residents or those where this is the local foodbank). Contact them on 0207 683 1281 or hello@thearccentre.org. You can find them at 98b St Paul Street, London, N1 7DF.
Copenhagen Street Foodbank Downstairs at the Blessed Sacrament Church, Copenhagen Street, London N1 0SR. This foodbank operates Thursdays from 1 pm – 3 pm. No referral is needed for newcomers, just pop in and register. You will receive food parcels for your household with a selection of non-perishable food items and fresh produce. You can contact them on copenhagenstreetfoodbank@gmail.com.
Hare Krishna Food for All offers a free hot vegetarian meal from 2pm to 2.40pm Monday – Saturday to take away from the white van at York Way next to Kings Cross train station. Contact foodforalluk@gmail.com.
Cook for Good members pay £3.50 each week, then come in on a Thursday and choose a basket of food worth between £15 and £25. There are a range of fresh, frozen and store cupboard ingredients available, and you’ll be able to make choices based on what your household likes. Complete the registration form on their website and a community coordinator will follow up with a more detailed registration form. Contact by phone at 02036334025 or over email at info@cookforgood.uk if you have any questions or issues.
Hilldrop Community Centre runs a Tuesday Lunch Club every week during term time. From 12.15pm - 2pm you can pick up a free healthy lunch. For more information email: elaine@hilldrop.org.uk or call 02076079453.
Foodcycle Provide free meals every Wednesday at 1pm at New River Baptist Church and and on Saturdays at 1pm in Finsbury Park Community Hub.
Bags of Taste is a comprehensive programme that gives residents the head start to a better diet and healthier finances through mentored home cooking courses and food delivery. For more information email islington@bagsoftaste.org or contact Justin on 07986 042458.
Essential supplies
The Resident Support Scheme provided by Islington Council may be able help if you are finding it difficult to find money for food or gas and electricity because your income or ability to claim benefits has been affected by the Coronavirus crisis. You can also apply if you have no recourse to public funds. They have can provide vouchers for food, fuel costs and in exceptional cases clothing. They have made it easier for you to apply - send an email with your contact information and details about your situation to the RSS team at ResidentSupportTeam@islington.gov.uk. Here are the guidelines which explain who is currently eligible for help from the Resident Support Scheme.
Thames Water Priority Services Register helps Thames Water identify residents who are in priority need in the event of problems with water supply. If you have a pre-existing health condition or mobility issue, or nobody can deliver water, you should join the register.
Fashion and Textile Children's Trust may be able to help if you're struggling to make ends meet and you have worked in the fashion and textile industry for one year during the last nine years. Their grants can fund items for your children such as clothing, bedding and essential household items.
Islington Council Uniform Grant - If your child is an Islington resident and is eligible for free school meals, they're eligible for the uniform grant as well. Islington council will pay £150 to help meet the cost of school uniforms when your child transfers to secondary school from year 6. Find the school uniform application form here.
MerryGoRound is a community project based in North London that provides free bundles of pre-loved children’s clothes, shoes and books, generously donated by local families. Contact hello@merrygoroundUK.org
