helping reduce food poverty in croydon

Reaching out to help anyone in need

We are a well-established volunteer-led foodbank based in Thornton Heath, Croydon. Unlike many similar organisations, we distribute mainly fresh and chilled food. We require a referral of some kind; either from a statutory agency/doctor etc or a self-referral if you can show us evidence of benefits, tax credits etc. We will normally provide a limited number of weeks of packages to ensure we help as many people as possible.

We work with the major national food redistribution charities, including Fareshare and Neighbourly, and we also connect with local churches and food charities. We became a registered charity in 2022 and we are dedicated to continuing as long as there is food poverty in Croydon. In our day-to-day work we are proud to partner with...

How do we work?

With the aid of our trusty van we collect surplus food almost every day of the week from local supermarkets and distribution centres. Every Saturday we sort and pack our collections and give them out between one and two o'clock that day. We are blessed with a faithful band of local volunteers, who turn out in the evenings to drive and load food, plus others who sort and pack and give the food out on Saturday afternoons.

When can you collect food?

That's easy - every Saturday afternoon between 1 and 2pm. See below for where to come. Don't forget to bring a referral or self-referral.

We suggest coming early as queues form quickly! See below if you need to contact us.

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How to find us.

Our base is at the Elim Pentecostal Church in Mersham Road, Thornton Heath. We are...

5 mins walk from a 250 bus stop on Parchmore Rd

Less than that from the 450 bus stop at Beulah
Crescent/Osborne Rd

10 mins walk from Thornton Heath train station (mainline to Victoria & East Croydon)

Or use the map on the left to get directions.

How you can help us

1

VOLUNTEER

New volunteers are always welcome. Our main areas of work are :

Collecting teams, picking up food donations form local supermarkets (mostly evenings)

Sorting and storing food, ensuring it is kept secure and fresh for Saturdays

Packing and giving out food parcels on Saturday afternoons

2

DONATE FOOD

We are delighted to receive food donations from anyone with some surplus.

As long as tins are undamaged and fresh produce is within its "sell by" or "use by" date, you can drop it in on Saturday afternoon or by arrangement (contact details below)

3

DONATE MONEY

We are so grateful for any funding that comes our way. Our biggest cost is running and maintaining a collecting van, without which we could not operate. Other regular costs include packaging for food parcels. gloves and other protective items for our volunteers and the charges we pay for recycling of our waste.

Our bank details are :
Alive Food Bank
Sort code 23-05-80
Account No. 49840446

Join the conversation. Find us on...

Alive Community Centre Foodbank

Registered UK Charity No. 1198585
Phone : 07949 489075
Email : tillymercy@yahoo.com