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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 is a volunteer-led group supporting Lambeth residents. Their monthly Solidarity Fund offers people in financial need £30 for essentials like food and fuel. Sign up on their website. They also provide other practical support.
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 food bank provides a warm space, advice on benefits, money management, form filling, grant applications, signposting, and more.
Norwood & Brixton Food Bank: Brixton Hub
Home delivery or in-person collection of free food parcels, depending on your situation. Food bank voucher required.
Norwood & Brixton Food Bank: Streatham Hub
Home delivery or in-person collection of free food parcels, depending on your situation. Food bank voucher required.
Norwood & Brixton Food Bank: Vauxhall Hub
Home delivery or in-person collection of free food parcels, depending on your situation. Food bank voucher required.
Norwood & Brixton Food Bank: West Dulwich 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.
Waterloo Food Bank: St. George the Martyr
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.
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
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.
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 Thursdays 12-2pm at the St. Leonards 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
Prison and homeless outreach. Free food, activities and support (including IT) for those in need. Just turn up.
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 breakfast and other services available outside. Check for new opening times from October after temporary closure.