Emergency Food
Are you struggling to pay for food? Below are local organisations that can help if you need food in an emergency.
- Local Support
- Trussell Trust Food Banks
- Independent Food Banks
- Other Emergency Food
- Eating Together & Hot Food
- Homeless Day Centres & Outreach
Local Support
Here are local organisations and volunteer groups that can provide practical support.
Lambeth Mutual Aid
Lambeth Mutual Aid are a collective of people who live in the borough and try to support Lambeth residents through solidarity actions, not charity. This includes sharing £30 grants from a Solidarity Fund and running a free café every second Sunday of the month in Brixton. For more information visit website.
Trussell Trust Food Banks: How They Work
Waterloo Food Bank and Norwood & Brixton Food Bank run the Trussell Trust food banks in Lambeth.
You need an electronic voucher code to receive food from them. Please make sure you get a voucher code in plenty of time. Here are some ways to get a voucher code:
- Call Citizen’s Advice on 0808 208 2138, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.
- Contact Brixton Advice Centre, Centre 70, Citizen's Advice Merton & Lambeth
- Another referral agency may be able to issue the voucher code. (E.g., doctor, health visitor, social worker, advice centre, police, children’s centre, etc.)
- The referral agency will give the voucher code and your contact details to the food bank.
- The food bank will contact you to find out what food you need and to organise delivery.
Trussell Trust Food Banks
As well as emergency food, each provides a warm space, advice on benefits, money management, form filling, grant applications, signposting, and more.
Lambeth & Croydon Foodbank: Brixton Hub
Home delivery or in-person collection of free food parcels, depending on your situation. Food bank voucher required.
Lambeth & Croydon Foodbank: Dulwich Hub
Home delivery or in-person collection of free food parcels, depending on your situation. Food bank voucher required.
Lambeth & Croydon Foodbank: Streatham Hub
Home delivery or in-person collection of free food parcels, depending on your situation. Food bank voucher required.
Waterloo Food Bank: Oasis Centre
Home delivery or in-person collection of free food parcels, depending on your situation. Food bank voucher required.
Independent Food Banks
Voluntary and community groups run many of the services listed below. They aim to respond within 48 hours. Please make sure you contact them in plenty of time.
Brixton Soup Kitchen
Free food parcels and support for people in need. No voucher needed.
Copef Training Skills - African Emergency Hub
Free food parcels weekly for people in need. Collection only. No voucher needed, just turn up.
Draper Together Food Bank
Free food parcels and space to socialise. Collection only. No voucher needed, just turn up.
Get Rid of and Donate Food Bank
Free fresh vegetables, bakery, dry goods, ready meals, etc for registered members. To become a member, please phone or drop-by the shop between 10am and 2pm Wednesdays & Fridays.
Olive Branch Aid
Free food parcels, clothing, other essential items, well-being, advice, and support. Monthly collection from their centre. You can self-refer to register. Photo ID and proof of address required.
VGCC Food Bank
Free food parcels and care items. Collection only. No voucher needed, just turn up.
Other Emergency Food
Oasis Community Fridge
Anyone can collect free, surplus food, or donate. Local businesses can donate food surplus too.
Portuguese Community Centre
Free surplus food/groceries for people in need. Phone or email to register. Collection only.
Rastafari Movement UK Wellbeing
Provides a membership offering free groceries with cultural foods and non food toiletries. Membership is £4 per delivery and they deliver every 2 weeks with doorstep befriending, guidance, wellbeing support and a WhatsApp network for events, learning and personal development opportunities. Can issue food bank vouchers. Phone or email to register.
Eating Together & Hot Food
All Saints Lunch Club
Join on Tuesday's during term time for a delicious community lunch, followed by cake and bingo! It's free to go along.
Be Enriched Clapham Canteen
Weekly, free, 3-course lunch and chat.
Foodcycle
Enjoy company with others from your local area over a free, delicious meal, prepared with care by FoodCycle volunteers.
Everyone is welcome, no matter your background or circumstances. No referral needed, just turn up.
HTC Breakfast Club
Free hot breakfast, plus advice and social support.
Hope Café
Enjoy chat and a free hot drink and pastry.
Open Door
Free hot lunch, tea, coffee, and cake. Lunch served at 12.30pm. Just turn up
Share Community Café
Freshly cooked and free meals for anyone in need in the community. Ready packaged meals to take-away. Vegetarian and meat options. No referral needed, just turn up.
The Lunch Club
Cooked lunches for £1 in a warm, friendly space in Streatham. You can either take away or eat in and socialise with others. Also, Monday and Thursday, 12-2pm, at the St. Leonard's Community Hall, Tooting Bec Road, SW16 1HS.
The Platform Café Community Food Service
Free vegetarian meals and food donations in Loughborough Junction. Email for details.
Homeless Day Centres & Outreach
Ace of Clubs
Supports homeless people. Take away and dine-in lunch served (£1 contribution encouraged). Just turn up.
Ace of Clubs can link people to accommodation, welfare, rehab, training, healthcare, etc. Advice service by appointment.
Bright Morning Star Outreach: Brixton
Prison and homeless outreach. Free food, activities and support (including IT) for anyone in need. Just turn up.
Manna Day Centre
Supports homeless people. Free breakfast, lunch and other services available. Just turn up.
Refugee Community Kitchen
Free, take-away, hot food for anyone displaced or in need. Just turn up.
SWAN Soup Kitchen Clapham
Free food for anyone in need.
Spires Centre: Streatham
Supports homeless people. Rough sleeper drop-in with free breakfast, etc.
Spires Centre: West Norwood
Supports homeless people: Rough sleeper drop-In with free breakfast, etc.
Streets Kitchen Clapham Common
Free, take-away, hot food for anyone homeless or in need. Located on the grass near Joe’s Pizza /opposite Waitrose.
Streets Kitchen Stockwell
Free, take-away food for anyone homeless or in need. Located next to Sainsbury’s Local, opposite Stockwell tube station entrance.
Webber Street Day Centre
Supports homeless people. Free tea, coffee, breakfast and other services available.