Halloween collection provides almost 2,000 meals
The Trick or Eat Halloween trail collected almost a tonne of food for Hackney Foodbank.
The event, organized by the Local Buyers Club in partnership with Stoke Newington Business Association and Location Location estate agency, saw families donating tins and packets of non-perishable food at participating households and businesses while out trick or treating.
A total of 982kg of food was donated to the foodbank, providing an estimated 1,918 meals for people experiencing hardship. A further £100 was donated.
Basil Fansa, co-founder of the Local Buyers Club, said: “For the sixth year running, shops and households in Hackney (predominantly in Stoke Newington and Clapton) went all out to ensure Halloween had a meaningful impact in reducing hunger in the community. Trick or Eat is a brilliant opportunity to teach children about the joy of giving and the importance of helping others, while also having a whole heap of fun. Our enormous thanks go to everyone who took part and donated.
“The event was so special, with businesses like Earlybird Cards and Location Location going all out to dress up and decorate and the children who took part had a whale of a time.”
Heidi Early, Chair of Stoke Newington Business Association, said: “With the onset of winter, demand for our local food bank is through the roof. The charity is currently supporting an average of 670 people per week; distributing around £40,000 worth of food every month and it’s wonderful that the community steps up to help. Events like Trick or Eat make a real difference and our thanks go to all the local businesses who took part.”
It’s estimated that around £2,300 worth of food was donated.
Among the businesses which took this year are Earlybird Cards, Askew Eyewear, Know & Love, Revere the Residence, Mind Charity Shop, Location Location, Pachara Asian Supermarket, Jarr Market, Prep, Array, GK Locksmith, Stoke Newington Bookshop, Stoke Newington Toy Shop, Church Street Drycleaner, Evergreen and Outrageous, De Nadas, Knit with Attitude, Rouge, Dogsnug and Ivory.
As well as providing three-day emergency food parcels for people in need, Hackney Foodbank has two caseworkers who support visitors; helping with benefits, income maximization and with access to grants for furniture, clothing and heating.