Brixton and Norwood Foodbank feeds 1,000 people in six months

Over 1,000 people have been fed by the Brixton and Norwood Foodbank since September 2011 and more than seven tonnes of food have been given away.

As the recession hits, more people are in need of support according to the Foodbank organisers, who come from a coalition of 18 south London churches.

The Brixton Foodbank, located in St Paul’s Church on Ferndale Rd, supports refugees and homeless people as well as more unusual customers – an unemployed surveyor in debt and a man who had separated from his wife and was living in his office.

Ben Goodyear, one of the organisers of the Foodbank, said: “We’ve seen a massive increase in clients since the recession. Between both foodbanks we’ve seen an exponential increase – last week between the two we served 110 people, whereas when we started it was only a few a day.

“It’s a real mixture of people who come to the Brixton Foodbank. We get people who have been in benefits mix-ups, asylum seekers and refugees, people just out of prison and people who might be working but still struggling.”

The Foodbank are also able to point people in the direction of other services that might benefit them, such as homeless charities.

The Foodbank depends on donations from schools, churches, shops and individuals. Frontline workers such as doctors and health visitors issue those in need with a Foodbank voucher which can be exchanged for a food parcel in Brixton or Norwood.

The Brixton Foodbank is located in St Paul’s Church, 184 -188 Ferndale Road, Brixton and open on Tuesdays from 10.30am – 1.30pm and Saturdays from 11am to 2pm. People in need can obtain vouchers to exchange for food from their GPs, social workers, teachers, faith leaders and other care professionals.

If you wish to donate, have a look at this shopping list and drop your food at St Paul’s church at the time stated above or at St Luke’s Church, Knights Hill, SE27 Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 3pm or at any Sunday service 10.30am. To contact the Foodbank or if you wish to volunteer, email norwoodfoodbank@btinternet.com. You can also find more information here.