Food bank donation and distribution points

All of the borough's food banks are staffed by volunteers and rely on donations from the public. Please note a listing is not an endorsement, check with the project directly regarding their service to see if it is a good fit for you and your needs.  Call Community Connections Lewisham (0330 058 3464 Mon - Fri 9.30 am - 4.00 pm) for help to find the best option for you and links to other support available.  For financial support and advice call Advice Lewisham (0800 231 5a453 Mon - Thurs 9 am - 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm - 5 pm) or visit www.worryingaboutmoney.co.uk/lewisham. 

If you are able to support a food bank please take your food donation to one of the organisations listed below.

What donations are needed by food banks

• milk (UHT, powdered or non-dairy)
• sugar (500g)
• fruit juice (carton)
• tea bags and instant coffee
• tinned meat and fish
• tinned fruit
• soup
• pasta sauces
• tinned pulses, such as lentils, beans, chickpeas
• jam
• tomatoes (tinned)
• cereals
• rice pudding (tinned)
• rice, pasta and couscous
• biscuits or snack bars
• sponge pudding (tinned)
• vegetables (tinned)
• custard (tinned)
• cooking oil
• halal / gluten free items
• vegetarian meals (non-perishable)
• no added sugar tinned fruit
• jam
• shower gel
• toilet rolls
• sanitary towels
• nappies
• washing up liquid
• strong carrier bags

Foodbanks and donation points

Lewisham Foodbank

To use Lewisham Foodbank, you must have an e-voucher which can be obtained from a professional, or by calling the National Citizens Advice Freephone Helpline on 0808 208 2138 or Advice Lewisham (0800 231 5453).

The foodbank currently have five centres operating:

Salvation Army Deptford, Mary Ann Gardens, SE8 3DP, Mondays 12pm – 2pm,
Salvation Army Lewisham, 4 Albion Way, SE13 6BT Tuesdays 10am – 12pm,
St John the Baptist Church (Downham) 353 Bromley Road, SE6 2RP, Wednesdays 12pm – 2pm,
Perry Rise Baptist Church, Perry Rise, SE23 2QL, Thursdays 12-2pm,
Salvation Army Catford, 23 – 25 Brownhill Road, SE6 2HE, Fridays 10am–12pm.

Dietary needs catered for. Offers advice service also in Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic and additional support like a fuel and clothing bank. 

Donate to Lewisham Food Bank online.

Alternatively, donate to any Lewisham Food Bank distribution point (see below).

Barley Loaves Distribution Service - Tuesdays
The Ecclēsia (London City Mission) 1 Cornmill Lane, Lewisham SE13 7FY.  Mondays between 7.30pm – 8.30pm on alternate weeks: women one week, men another week.  They currently provide food bags to take away from outside and share words from the gospel.

Chinbrook Action Residents Team Food Bank - Wednesdays
WG Grace Community Centre Hall (enter via Courtyard), 1 Lions Close, SE9 4HG.  Wednesdays 10:00-11:00am. Choose food from our selection. Also Tea and coffee and a friendly chat.  Registration can take place on the day.  Must live in the Chinbrook community, It's quick and easy to register, just bring your ID and proof of address - no referral needed.

Feed the Hill – food delivery boxes and social supermarket
Working with Bold Vision, Feed the Hill delivers food boxes to housebound people in SE4, SE8 & SE14.  Boxes are delivered for free to those self-isolating or experiencing food poverty. Visit website or Text: 07748 713 212, by the end of Saturday for next week. Boxes are nutritionally balanced, dietary needs catered for. They run a small “social supermarket” on Wed 10am-noon for people on low incomes who may benefit from spending less on their weekly shop (£2 per shop) no membership required, please bring proof of address.

Grove Park Emergency Food Bank Project - Fridays
The Word of Life Church, Rehoboth Building, 72A Mayeswood Road, SE12 9RP (Community Resource Centre in the Lower Floor). Open Fridays 12noon to 2pm.  For people of Grove Park and the surrounding area struggling to put food on their table, or in financial crisis/hardship.  Bring one form of ID and one proof of address.  Tel - 07930 958 097 or visit their website.

The Helping Hands Food Bank
The helping hands food bank is run by AFRIL and Good Shepherds St Peter's Church Lee. This food bank supports refugees, asylum-seekers and vulnerable migrant families. To make a referral or request support email, visit their website or call 07549 031729. The food bank food parcel includes food staples, fresh fruit and vegetables and toiletries. Please note the foodbank has limited capacity and spaces are assessed on a priority need basis due to status and issues of hardship -currently Lewisham & Greenwich residents.

Lewington Food Project - Fridays
Lewington Community Centre, 9 Eugenia Road, SE16 2RU. Fridays 1-3pm. L&Q are running a food bank for local residents. It’s first come first served but they can take referrals and deliver on some occasions. Call 07940 393 291 for more information. Dietary requirements catered for.

Lewisham Donation Hub
Unit D Place Ladywell, SE13 6N. They provide emergency food support weather dependent, please check their website for up-to-date opening times to avoid disappointment. No booking required but check the website before visiting for important service information.  All services are weather/volunteer dependent and ae subject to change. 

Living Water Christian Centre Food Service - Wednesdays
Honor Oak Community Centre 50 Turnham Rd SE4 2JD. Open Wednesday evenings from 5.30-7.15 pm (can’t deliver). Check which week is opening. Dietary needs catered for. The food service contact details are: email or telephone 07783 441 973.

Victory Care Food Bank - Sundays
157 - 159, Lewisham High Street, Lewisham, London, SE13 6AA, Sundays 12.30-3pm after the church service. Just turn up for surplus bags of groceries.

Community Stores

Downham Gleaning Pantry - Fridays
Brook Lane Community Church, 27-29 Brook Lane, Bromley BR1 4PX. Open Fri 9-12.30 pm.  Social Pantry for people on low incomes and affected financially in Downham.  Residents pay a membership fee of £5.00 a week to choose from a variety of food.  To book an appointment, please contact them.

Evelyn Community Store - Tuesdays
Evelyn Community Centre, Kingfisher Square SE8 5TW. Open Tuesdays 2 – 5pm. Provide food to Store members and deliver food to vulnerable store members (£3.50 per week to use the store for those on low incomes). Free surplus food given out on Fridays. To become a member, collect a paper form or visit their website.

Feed the Hill – food delivery boxes and social supermarket
Deliver food boxes to local housebound people in SE4 and SE14.  Boxes are delivered for free to those self-isolating or experiencing food poverty. Text: 07748 713 212, by the end of Saturday for next week. Boxes are nutritionally balanced and dietary needs catered for. Also run a small “social supermarket” for people on low incomes who may benefit from spending less on their weekly shop Wednesday 10 - 12pm. They offer a weekly shop for £2.

Sydenham Community Supermarket - Thursdays (9 am - 12.00 pm, 1.00 - 3.00 pm term times)
Kelvin Grove Children's Centre, Kirkdale, Sydenham, SE26 6BB.  Run by residents for residents. Complete online form to be considered for membership or collect a paper copy at Sydenham Community Supermarket. People can turn up and register on the day.

Pepys Community Store - Fridays
2000 Community Action Centre, 199-201 Grove Street, Deptford, SE8 3PG. Open Fridays between 12 and 3pm for Members around Pepys/Evelyn, Deptford who pay £3.50 a week for their shop. Application form to join can be picked up at the supermarket or visit their website.

Rastafari Movement UK Wellbeing CIC Project fortnightly Monday & Tuesday after 3 pm
Surplus and cultural food distribution to those in need of culturally relevant food and wellbeing support. Offering African and Caribbean foods, fresh fruit and veg via fortnightly deliveries and a doorstep befriending service for members for up to 12 weeks. £4 fortnightly membership required.   Contact: email rmuk.info@gmail.com or call 07387 208519 to register in advance.

St Peter's Church Brockley - Social Supermarket - Wednesdays
43 Wickham Rd, Brockley, SE4 1LT. A Social Supermarket for people in the SE4 area on Wednesdays. Pay £3 membership weekly fee and choose enough groceries to last a week. Dietary needs catered for. Request food via their website to get a shopping appointment. Can deliver to people in some circumstances. A pop up café/restaurant is hosted by St Peter's Church on the fourth Friday of each month.

Whitefoot and Downham Food Project - Thursdays
Hope Church 480 Whitefoot Lane Downham, BR1 5SF. Open Thursdays 7.30-9pm for those living in the Whitefoot and Downham area. You can just turn up. No delivery, pre-packed bags.

There are more details of community food projects providing free and low-cost food on Lewisham Local and Good Food Lewisham's websites: Lewisham Community Meals and Foodbank Provision or by using the Lewisham Community Exchange.

Please be aware services are subject to change.  Please contact the projects to check current provision and that the offer is suitable for you.

If you are in need of financial support and advice, please use this form: Lewisham - Worrying about Money? to be directed to financial support services in the borough.