at the food bank

we’re here to help anyone who finds themselves in crisis.

We know how hard it can be to decide to come to a food bank. We’re here to help anyone who finds themselves in crisis and unable to afford food and household items. We will welcome you with a smile, and without judgement.

 “The volunteers at the food bank were so lovely, they listened to me and made me feel human again. It was the first place I didn’t feel judged.”

If you, or someone you know, need the food bank, there are three steps to take:

  • Register

    Register with a local partner - tell them a bit about you and your situation.

  • Access

    Access relevant support, including receiving a food bank voucher code.

  • Exchange

    Exchange your voucher code for food and household items at Hackney Foodbank.

 

We can only give food and household items to people who have a voucher code. This ensures everyone we meet has the opportunity to get the wider support they need.

When you come to a food bank centre, we will welcome you and collect your voucher code. You can tell us about what’s going on for you, and we will try to make sure you are connected with relevant local organisations that can support you to move out of crisis (for example, providing information, advice, and resources to manage debt and finances, housing support and mental health support).

Our priority is to relieve immediate hunger and support you to change the circumstances that led to hunger as quickly as possible. For this reason, Hackney Foodbank voucher codes should be redeemed within three days, and can only be provided once a week. If you’re struggling to access food during the rest of the week, you can find other local services providing food here.

get support

get a voucher code

If you’re struggling to afford household items, such as food and toiletries, for you and anyone in your care, our trusted partners can issue a food bank voucher code. This should be used within three days.

Contact or visit one of our partners and tell them about your situation. They will tell you how to exchange your voucher code for food and household items and offer you any other relevant support.

If you live outside of Hackney, you can find your nearest Trussell Trust food bank on their website here.

exchange your voucher code

There are three ways voucher codes can be exchanged:

  • Visit our food bank centers

    Visit one of our food bank centres across Hackney. Most voucher codes are exchanged in-person at one of our food bank centres in Hackney. If you come to a food bank centre, please bring:

    • Food bank voucher code/name of organisation who issued your voucher code

    • Identification (e.g. driver's licence, ID card or official letter)

    • Shopping bags or trolley.

  • Visit a local retailer

    Visit a local retailer with a digital food bank voucher. This is through our pilot project, Phone to Food. If this option is available to you, we will tell you on your first visit to one of our food bank centres.

  • Arrange a home delivery

    If you are unable to attend the food bank centre in person, tell the person or organisation that issued your voucher code. They can then let us know if you want to nominate someone to attend on your behalf (such as a trusted friend, family member or support worker), or arrange a home delivery.

 

 

what if I’m unable to attend the food bank centre in person?

If you are unable to attend the food bank centre in person, tell the person or organisation that issued your voucher code. They can then let us know if you want to nominate someone to attend on your behalf (such as a trusted friend, family member or support worker), or arrange a home delivery.

 
Testimonials
Before my experience at the food bank, I felt like I had nothing and nowhere to go. People might feel ashamed of asking for help when they’re struggling, but I feel proud that I did
Before my experience at the food bank, I felt like I had nothing and nowhere to go. People might feel ashamed of asking for help when they’re struggling, but I feel proud that I did

I felt like I had nothing and nowhere to go - so I’m proud to still be using the food bank to help feed my family. The food bank also pointed me in the direction of local organisations that provide helpful financial advice. I never would’ve got that information if I hadn't visited.

what an emergency parcel may contain

You will receive food and household items for you / your family, including ingredients for nutritionally-balanced meals, to last for 3 days:

  • Breakfast cereal

  • UHT Milk

  • Long life Juice

  • Soup

  • Peanut butter, jam, or honey

  • Pasta or rice

  • Pasta sauce, curry sauce or tinned tomatoes

  • Tinned beans, pulses & lentils

  • Tinned baked beans or tinned spaghetti

  • Tinned meat

  • Tinned fish

  • Tinned vegetables

  • Tinned fruit

  • Tinned rice pudding or custard

  • Tea or coffee or herbal tea

  • Sugar

  • Biscuits

  • Toilet roll

  • Clothes washing tablets, liquid or powder

And, when available, snacks, cleaning products, flour, and fresh produce.

what’s in a parcel?

We cannot guarantee fresh products in parcels. Our parcels contain items that can be stored at room temperature for long periods of time, as we collect food stocks in advance of distributing them, to make sure we never run out. It also means that we can transport parcels to our food bank centres and store them in a safe and hygienic way.

You can also request:

Specific considerations around diet, e.g., if you have health or cultural requirements (e.g., allergies, gluten intolerance, vegetarian, kosher, halal). There is not currently a standardised parcel for these options, however they may be available via the Phone to Food project.

  • Nappies and baby wipes

  • Baby food (NOT infant formula, in line with the guidance issued by UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative (May 2019))

  • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, hand soap, razors, incontinence pads)

  • Sanitary products (towels and tampons)

  • Pet food (cat and dog)

We have limited numbers of these items and cannot guarantee their availability.

We do not provide toiletries as part of our standard parcels, as they usually last longer than three days and therefore aren’t needed as often. We also prioritise food, meaning we have a more limited supply of toiletries to include.

 

Rooted Finance referral

If you’re struggling with benefits, debt, or budgeting, please email Help@Hackneyfoodbank.org with details of your circumstances and you will be referred to Rooted Finance, who will issue you with a food bank voucher and make an appointment to speak with one of their specialist advisers.