If a search for food banks in Essex, UK has brought you to this page, you’ve come to the right place. Below we’ve featured 10 top food banks located across the county.
1. The Storehouse
Southend Vineyard Church was established in Southend-on-Sea in 1992. Since then, they have been stretching out a helping hand to members of their community through their foodbank, The Storehouse. What started out as just a small collection from members of the congregation to help those among them experiencing food insecurity soon evolved to include a community kitchen where they serve hot meals after Sunday services and a formal food bank site where they distribute non-perishables weekly.
You can donate or volunteer to assist with their efforts. Get in touch to discuss additional ways you can help out.
2. St. Vincent’s Centre
Founded by a Southend-on-Sea local named Jim Harforth in 2000, the St. Vincent’s Centre caters to the more unfortunate members of their community. They offer five meals a day in their soup kitchen to the homeless who seek shelter from them. They also have a drop-off service where they deliver bags of non-perishable and perishable food items to the homes of those who are elderly, disabled, or homebound.
Food is made available through the generosity of donations and distributed by volunteers willing to lend a hand. If you need assistance or want to provide help, contact staff.
3. Colchester Food Bank
If you are suffering from food insecurity in Colchester, the Colchester Food Bank can help you. Founded in 2008 by local citizens as part of The Trussell Trust, this food bank helps thousands keep food in their kitchen pantries every year. In a time of increasing need, they continue to work hard at reclaiming food waste, securing donations, and purchasing in bulk quantities that they can split up and redistribute in pre-packed carrier bags.
Volunteer your time or donate to help with this food pantry’s mission. Get in contact to learn more.
4. Open Door
Open Door in Colchester was founded in 1986 by a Christian organisation dedicated to helping the less fortunate in their community. In addition to their drop-in center where the homeless can enjoy snacks and a bit of community, this charity works with the Colchester Food Bank to provide bags of groceries three days per week to anyone who needs a boost to their existing food inventory and offer additional support services when needed.
Volunteers and donations are essential to pantry operations. Contact a member of the staff for additional information.
5. Chelmsford Food Bank
If you find yourself short of food, look to the Chelmsford Food Bank for assistance. Created by the Oasis Church in 2012 as a community outreach program, they’ve served the downtrodden in their area for over a decade. Recipients can bring their food vouchers to the charity and exchange them for a three-day supply of groceries which includes both tinned and dry packaged foods. Volunteers work with each person to tailor the food choices as much as possible.
Donate or volunteer to help or contact the church with any questions you might have.
6. Foodcycle Chelmsford
Need a hot meal in Chelmsford? Foodcycle Chelmsford serves multiple community meals each week made from reclaimed produce and dry goods donated by area grocers, food shops, and grocery stores. They do not serve meat or fish or accept donations from other sources, but the meals they serve are warm and inviting, prepared in a manner to suit any religious or cultural preferences. The host venues change from week to week, but you can check their website to find their weekly locations.
If you would like to get involved, you can do so online. Donations are always appreciated. For anything else, contact staff to discuss.
7. Thurrock Food Bank
Thurrock Food Bank in Basildon was founded by area churches in 2012. They provide bags of groceries containing non-perishable food items to help supplement existing grocery supplies. With a voucher from a referring agency, you can claim an allotment of three days’ worth of healthy items to keep you and your family ticking over for a while longer. There is no need for teatime to pass without a nutritious meal on your table.
Donate or volunteer to provide an extra set of hands or added funds. Contact the mission for any other inquiries.
8. Salvation Army Basildon
For more than a century and a half, the Salvation Army has been serving the needs of people all across the UK with grace and compassion. The Salvation Army in Basildon continues that proud tradition with a variety of programs designed to provide people with a hand up out of the poverty they face. Tackling hunger with meals in their free café and providing bags of groceries through their food bank are only a part of what they do to uplift the poor in their area.
You can donate or volunteer to help their fight against hunger. Contact someone with any questions you may have about their programs.
9. St. Paul’s Food Bank
St. Paul’s Food Bank is an outreach program of St. Paul’s Church in Harlow. They are open on weekdays to distribute food collected from local grocers, markets, and individuals. Their programs are bolstered by The Trussell Trust which helps further their reach with additional support and donations. Anyone looking for help with food poverty can turn to the kind souls at St. Paul’s for assistance with putting nutritious food on their plates.
Donate or volunteer to get involved with this outreach program or contact a member of the church staff for more information.
10. Harold Hill Food Bank
The Harold Hill Food Bank in Brentwood has been supporting those affected by food poverty for more than a decade. They provide food bags containing non-perishable items such as cereal, snacks, grains, tinned foods, shelf staples, coffee, and tea. Each parcel is meant to last for a minimum of three days and can be retrieved with a referral from an agency. Don’t skip meals when you can get the help you require from people who care.
Donations and volunteers are always needed. Contact church staff to get more information about the assistance they can offer.
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