Big move for Hackney Foodbank

Hackney Foodbank’s main warehouse and offices have moved from Hoxton to Homerton.

The move to the Wally Foster Community Centre on Homerton Road provides the charity with more space and will make it easier for them to serve communities in the east of the borough.

Its food distribution centres in Stoke Newington, Hackney, Dalston, Haggerston, Upper Clapton and Hoxton will remain open to visitors as usual.

Pat Fitzsimons, CEO of Hackney Foodbank, said: “It has been all hands-on deck as we prepare the new space and we’ll be open for the public to drop in donations from April 2nd.  This is a fabulous place; the main hall, which used to be a theatre and dance hall will now be used by staff and volunteers to pack emergency food parcels and, as well as office space, we’ve more space to hold meetings.  Having spaces outside for people to drop food donations and for our van to load and unload will make a huge difference.

“We dream of a day when food banks won’t be needed. Sadly, in the current climate that seems a long way off.  Demand for our food bank has increased by 53% in the past year and the extra space this new centre provides is badly needed.”

The food bank had been in the Florence Bennett Community Centre in Hoxton for seven years.

Hackney Foodbank currently provides emergency food for an average of 610 people per week; distributing an average of XX tonnes of food per month. The charity also has an in-house caseworker who helps people with benefits and housing and signposts visitors to organisations which can help address the root causes of poverty.

The Wally Foster Community Centre was built by Hackney Council in partnership with the Church of England in 1976. The distinctive curved brick building borders Hackney Marsh and the Kingsmead Estate and is a short walk from Homerton Hospital. The building is being leased to the food bank by Hackney Council.

The centre is also home to Apex – Young People and Families Community Organisation and the Christ Church on the Mead.

People wishing to support the food bank but unable to drop food donations in person, can now donate food online via the website: www.hackney.foodbank.org.uk/give-food