Alison from Lewisham Foodbank
Acts 435 partners with foodbanks across the UK, helping them provide additional practical support to the people they serve. Earlier this year, we had the privilege of visiting Lewisham Foodbank to hear how Acts 435 is being used to support clients beyond their immediate food needs.
As we walked through the doors of the warehouse, we were met with a hive of activity. Volunteers were busy processing food donations, packing emergency food parcels and preparing them for delivery across the borough.
The volunteers came from all walks of life, including young people from the local community and older people looking for ways to give back. There was something incredibly encouraging about seeing so many people giving their time and energy to help others in need.
Lewisham Foodbank began in 2012 with just a few shelves at the back of a church hall. Today, it has grown to around 200 volunteers, five foodbank centres and a warehouse, supporting around 2,500 people every month across the borough.
It’s incredible to see the scale of the work being done, but it also highlights the growing level of need, as more and more people struggle to afford even the basics.
Sarah Vitty, Centre Manager at Lewisham Foodbank, explained that although Lewisham is a strong, friendly and diverse borough, the level of need is significant. More than one in three people in the borough live below the poverty line, considerably higher than the national average. (Lewisham Foodbank)
Alongside emergency food parcels, Lewisham Foodbank offers a range of wrap-around support, including professional advice, a fuel bank, advocacy and form-filling support, as well as additional practical help through Acts 435.
Meeting needs beyond the food parcel
Alison oversees the Acts 435 requests at Lewisham Foodbank. She explained how the partnership first began:
“My colleague had heard about Acts 435 and thought it could be really good for Foodbank clients… I thought, let’s try it and see what happens. We had a young Brazilian couple who needed a baby changing table and needed £70. Within five days we had the money for our client and it was such an amazing experience!”
For many people referred to the Foodbank, the need goes beyond food. Some clients may not have a fridge or cooking facilities, making it difficult to prepare meals or store food safely.
Through Acts 435, Alison and her team post requests on the Acts 435 website, where generous donors from across the country can give small amounts to help meet these specific needs.
To date, more than 650 requests have been met for Lewisham Foodbank clients. These have included essential items such as cookers and fridge freezers, as well as school uniforms, beds and pushchairs.
One volunteer Jeanette explained why she believes Acts 435 is such a valuable addition to the Foodbank’s work:
“Acts 435 mirrors the ethos of Foodbank in helping people in real need, and the help Acts 435 gives lasts much longer than a bag of food. A fridge freezer can dramatically lower the cost of buying food and make their budgets go further.”
There is incredible power when charities work together. By partnering with Acts 435, foodbanks like Lewisham can provide practical, lasting support to people at a time when they need it most.
A food parcel can provide immediate relief, while a fridge, cooker, bed or pushchair can help someone move towards greater stability and independence.
If you volunteer at a local foodbank, church or charity and would like to find out more about partnering with Acts 435, we’d love to hear from you. It’s free and simple to sign up.
Find out more: www.acts435.org.uk/partner
🎥 Watch the Lewisham Foodbank video here: