TRICK OR EAT INITIATIVE WITH LOCAL BUYERS CLUB

For the fourth year running, the Local Buyers Club is running Trick or Eat which collects donations for Hackney Foodbank during Halloween.

Since it started, the initiative has collected more than eight tonnes of food for local food banks and we need your help to donate our most-needed items to us!

How it works in Hackney

On Monday 31 October, residents put collection boxes for food banks outside their home (The Local Buyers Club will give them posters to display on the boxes and in the street). Residents then message neighbours and friends and ask them to give food and The Local Buyers Club will add them to the Trick or Eat map so the general public know where to donate.

While families are out trick or treating, they bring along a bag of tins and packet food, follow the map and donate along the way.

Households who have been collecting bring their donations to a central location in Stoke Newington later that night or the following day and they’re passed on to Hackney Foodbank.

Jenna Fansa, of the Local Buyers Club, said:

“This year food banks are finding things harder than ever. Since Covid, demand for food banks is up more than 125%.  As a mum of two, I’ve always been somewhat frustrated by the sweet-grabbing frenzy of Halloween, Trick or Eat offers a chance to take part in that while also helping people in our community who are experiencing extreme hardship.”

Tanya Whitfield, Hackney Foodbank’s Head of Services, said:

“Trick or Eat makes a big difference to us each year. The Local Buyers Club team puts considerable effort into running this event and we’re always moved to tears by the response.

Things are pretty tough at the moment. We’re having to give out no-heat food parcels to some residents who can’t afford to heat food and, as people struggle to meet the cost of living, we’re seeing huge demand which will only worsen as the evenings get colder.”

How you can get involved with Trick or Eat:

1. Buy some extra tins of food, long-life juice or long-life milk.

2. Donate supplies at collection points on 31st October.

3. Sign up as a collection point. You’d need to put a box outside your home (we’ll send you posters) and ask your friends and neighbours to donate.  After the event, participating households in will need to drop donations at a central collection point that evening or on November 1st. Sign up here.

4. Join London’s shop-local club for half price using code TRICKOREAT and we’ll donate £5 to a local food bank. Club members benefit from hundreds of local savings and perks. By joining the club you’ll be helping us to continue running community projects like Trick or Eat.