About this Post
Here is a list of community projects offering free or low-cost food. There are at least 28 food giving projects and 16 community meals in Lewisham.
You may be facing financial difficulties and need support or would like to join others together at a community meal. Perhaps you would like to volunteer.
Most of the projects are staffed by volunteers and rely on donations. Please note a listing is not an endorsement, check with the project directly to see if it’s a good fit.
Call Community Connections Lewisham (0330 058 3464 Mon-Fri 9.30am-4pm) who can find the best option for you and link you up to other support available for Lewisham residents.
List last updated on March 2023. Services are likely to change, please check with the project directly for most up-to-date details and that the offer is suitable for you. If you would like your organisation to feature, have noticed a service change or you know of projects that aren't on here that would like to be advertised, please contact: goodfood@lewishamlocal.com and/or hello@lewishamlocal.com.
We are planning to update and re-upload this monthly from now on, with links included (we haven't added all these yet).
Food Giving Projects (Food Banks/Social Supermarkets/Community Fridges)
Bank of Things Youth Fridge – Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
This is for young people aged 11 – 25. The youth fridge will open on Saturday 25th March, and will be open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 3-5.30pm. They’ll be distributing fresh fruit and other surplus foods. Contact Hannah on hannah@lewishamlocal.com or 07726 350915. Unit 19, Lewisham Shopping Centre, Molesworth Street, SE13 7HB.
Barley Loaves Distribution Service – Mondays
Open Mondays from 7.30pm until they have given away the food (usually by 9pm). They provide food bags from outside, share words from the gospel and alternate between men and women on different weeks. It was men’s night on 20th March and it will be women’s night on 27th March, so you can work out the week from that. If they have food to spare at the end of the night they pass it to anyone who comes along regardless of gender. Contact: barleyloaves@ecclesia.uk. The Ecclēsia (London City Mission), 1 Cornmill Lane, SE13 7FY.
Catford Fridge Station – Saturdays
On Saturdays between 2-3pm Catford Fridge give out solidarity bags of surplus food. First come first served. Contact catfordfridge@hotmail.com. Lewisham Irish Community Centre, 2a Davenport Rd, SE6 2AZ.
Chinbrook Action Residents Team Food Bank - Wednesdays
Wednesdays 10-11am. Choose food from our selection. Donation drop off 9am–2pm Monday–Friday. Tea, coffee, a friendly chat and they have a benefits/financial advisor and people can make an appointment to see him. Registration can take place on the day. Serve the Chinbrook community, but you don’t have to live in Chinbrook. Contact: info@chartbiglocal.org.uk and 020 8851 0174. WG Grace Community Centre Courtyard, 1 Lions Close, SE9 4HG.
Come Out of Hiding: TLN CIC – Alternate Saturdays
Food and toiletries parcels on the first and third Saturdays of the months from 12pm-2pm. Please complete these registration forms first:
https://forms.gle/Jr3SkbUizc3SJqeg8 and https://forms.gle/DwcgDBeu8uUeXKG8A Glass Mill Leisure Centre, 41 Loampit Vale, SE13 7FT
Downham Gleaning Pantry - Fridays
Open Fridays 9am-1pm. Social Pantry for people on low incomes and affected financially in Downham. Residents pay a membership fee of £5 a week to choose from a variety of food to the value of £25-£40. To book an appointment contact downhammutualaid@hotmail.com or Stephanie on 07989887319. Brook Lane Community Church, 27-29 Brook Lane, Bromley BR1 4PX.
Evelyn Community Store - Tuesdays
Open Tuesdays 2–5pm. Provide food to store members and deliver food to vulnerable store members (£3.50 per week to use the store for those on low incomes). Free surplus food given out to members on Fridays from 11am until the food has gone. To become a member, collect a paper form or visit: https://www.lewishamhomes.org.uk/peoples-supermarket/. Evelyn Community Centre, 1 Kingfisher Square, Clyde Street, SE8 5TW.
Feed the Hill – food delivery boxes and social supermarket Wednesdays
Deliveries of food boxes to housebound people in SE4, SE8 & SE14. Free to those self-isolating or experiencing food poverty. Boxes are nutritionally balanced, dietary needs catered for. They run a small “social supermarket” on Wednesdays 10am-12 Midday for people on low incomes who may benefit from spending less on their weekly shop (£2 per shop) no membership required, please bring proof of address. For food box deliveries text 07748 713 212 by the end of Saturday for the next week. Contact feedthehill@gmail.com or see https://boldvision.uk/feed-the-hill/. 367 New Cross Road, SE14 6AT.
Grove Park Emergency Food Bank Project – Fridays
Open Fridays 12-2pm. For people of Grove Park and the surrounding area in financial crisis/hardship. Bring one form of ID and one proof of address. Contact 07930 958 097 or info@wordoflife-lcc.org,. The Word of Life Church, Rehoboth Building, 72A Mayeswood Road, SE12 9RP (Community Resource Centre in the Lower Floor).
The Helping Hands Food Bank – fortnightly on Saturdays
Run by AFRIL and Good Shepherds, 10am – 12 Midday. This food bank supports refugees, asylum-seekers and vulnerable migrant families. Priority currently given to residents of Lewisham and Greenwich. The food bank food parcel includes food staples, fresh fruit and vegetables and toiletries. Travel expenses paid. Now fortnightly with vouchers. Contact Helen the food bank director on 07549031729 or foodbank@afril.org.uk. St Peter's Church Lee, SE12 8HQ.
House of Bread Church of God – Saturdays (monthly)
New food bank opening monthly on the second Saturday of the month 9-11am, in partnership with Looprun. Contact: houseofbreadclerk@cogop.org.uk, 0207 732 4970. 39 Kitto Road, SE14 5TW.
Legendary Community Club – fortnightly on Thursdays and Fridays
Food package support for young people and their families. Operating every other week on the Thursday and Friday of that week. Collection from Youth First sites across the borough. Email legendarycclub@gmail.com or call/message Andra on 07581566004.
Lewington Food Project - Fridays
Fridays 1-3pm. L&Q are running a food bank for local residents. It’s first come first served but they can take referrals and deliver on some occasions. Dietary requirements catered for. Call 07940 393 291 for more information. Lewington Community Centre, 9 Eugenia Road, SE16 2RU.
Lewisham Donation Hub - Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
The service operates from 11am to 2pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Food, clothing, home essentials. They offer a range of fresh and frozen foods, and a more limited selection of non-perishables, toiletries, women's essentials and incontinency pads. Support is provided a maximum of once per week. No booking required but check the website for important service update information as it is weather dependent and times of food and other provision can change www.lewishamdonationhub.org. Located at Unit D, PLACE/Ladywell, 261 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6AY.
Lewisham Hospital Food Bank (food from Lewisham Food Bank)
A service for discharged patients who are in need of an initial food parcel if they don’t have food at home, funds to buy food or a support network to shop for them, which frees up beds for other patients. This is a specific service – only for certain patients. Additionally, clients are provided with the list of food banks and information on supermarkets who accept orders over the phone which some clients can use.
Lewisham Foodbank - five centres operating on different days, Monday - Friday
Clients must have an e-voucher which can be obtained from a professional, or by calling Community Connections Lewisham: 0330 058 3464 or the National Citizens Advice Freephone Helpline 0808 208 2138. Five centres: Salvation Army Deptford, Mary Ann Gardens, SE8 3DP Mondays 12pm–2pm; Salvation Army Lewisham, 4 Albion Way, SE13 6BT Tuesdays 10am – 12pm; St John the Baptist Church (Downham) 353 Bromley Road, SE6 2RP Wednesdays 12pm–2pm; Perry Rise Baptist Church, Perry Rise, SE23 2QL Thursdays 12-2pm; Salvation Army Catford, 23–25 Brownhill Road, SE6 2HE Fridays 10am–12pm. Dietary needs catered for. Advice in Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic and fuel vouchers.
The Life Giving Project – Saturdays
Open Saturdays 11.30am-1pm. For anyone in need in the local area. A choice of foods available. Run by the Christ Embassy Church. Contact 07845 286438. Pepys Resource Centre, Deptford Strand, SE8 3BA.
Lions Food Hub – Fridays
Fridays 9.30am-2.30am, by appointment only. Message their Facebook or Instagram page for support. Millwall Community Centre, Bolina Road, SE16 3LD.
Living Water Christian Centre Food Service – Wednesdays
Open Wednesday evenings from 5.30-7.15pm (they can’t deliver). Check which week it’s opening. Dietary needs catered for. Contact details are: Lwccfoodservice@gmail.com. Honor Oak Community Centre, 50 Turnham Road, SE4 2JD.
Pepys Community Store - Fridays
Open Fridays 12-3pm for Members around Pepys/Evelyn, Deptford who pay £3.50 a week for their shop. Application form to join can be picked up at the supermarket or https://2000cac.org/. 2000 Community Action Centre, 199-201 Grove Street, Deptford, SE8 3PG.
Rastafari Movement UK Wellbeing CIC Project – Mondays and Tuesdays
Surplus and cultural food distribution on Mondays and Tuesdays. To households in need of culturally relevant food and wellbeing support. Offering African and Caribbean Cultural Foods, fresh fruits, veg and Ital emergency delivery and doorstep befriending service. Food projects include cooked food and nutrition programmes for all using cultural foods to bridge gaps and build communities across Lewisham, Lambeth and Southwark. Referrals and applications can be made via our website www.rmukwellbeing.com or to rmuk.info@gmail.com or call 07769813799 for more info. Deliveries once a week on Monday or Tuesday evenings. Users must register in advance. There is a £4 weekly contribution required. We support for up to 12 weeks and signpost our members to a range of additional services across the boroughs.
Rehoboth Community Outreach Club – Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
Open for collection on Mondays 11am-2pm (free hot meals, fruits and pastries), Wednesdays 3–5pm (chilled/frozen meals, fruits and vegetables) and Thursdays 11am-2pm (ambient/dry goods, chilled/frozen foods). Weeknights 8-10pm they deliver to local hostels. No referral required. Contact: 07487738 08 or 07946354617. Collection: Ray Champion Meeting Room, 1-18 Allwood Close, SE26 4JP (On Hazel Grove Estate).
St Peter's Church Brockley - Social Supermarket – Wednesdays
A Social Supermarket for people in the SE4 area. Pay £3 membership weekly fee and choose enough groceries to last a week. Dietary needs catered for. Request food via the website link to get a shopping appointment. Can deliver to people in some circumstances. www.stpetersbrockley.org.uk/feedback-food-request. 43 Wickham Rd, Brockley, SE4 1LT.
Sydenham Community Supermarket – Thursdays
Open Thursdays 9.30am-4pm (closed 12.30-2pm). They offer members low cost, healthy groceries for £4 a week. The shop is run by residents, for residents. Complete the form online to be considered for membership or collect a paper copy. https://www.lewishamhomes.org.uk/your-community/community-store/sydenham-community-supermarket-membership/. People can turn up and register on the day in person. Kelvin Grove Children's Centre, Kirkdale, Sydenham, SE26 6BB.
The Tab Church Foodbank Plus – Thursdays
Thursdays 12–2pm. Contact 0208 691 1000, info@thetab.org.uk. All donations should be made on Sundays 10.30am-1.30pm. The Tab London, 233- 241 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6NQ.
Victory Care Food Bank – Sundays
Sundays 12.30-3pm after the church service. Just turn up for surplus bags of groceries. Contact Maxine on 07368 586898. 157-159, Lewisham High Street, Lewisham, SE13 6AA.
Whitefoot and Downham Food Project Plus - Thursdays
Thursdays 7-8.30pm for those living in the Whitefoot and Downham area. Membership is £4. Members must register with a proof of identification and house address, and able to prove receipt of benefits (excluding Child Benefit). Hope Church 480 Whitefoot Lane Downham, BR1 5SF.
World of Hope
Based in Greenwich but with some distribution in Lewisham to disabled and elderly people. They are offering food, baby food, nappies and cosmetics. They are also supporting African, refugee and migrant communities across South East London with culturally specific food. Contact info@worldofhope.org.uk, 07776 992 138. Registration required.
Community Meals
999 Club Early Bird Breakfasts - Mondays and Wednesdays
A free breakfast from 6.30-9am for those facing homelessness or rough sleeping. People can use showers, the internet, laundry services and access support services e.g. community outreach, housing, employment and benefits advice. Call 0208 694 5797, email breakfast@999club.org or visit www.999club.org. At the 999 Club Day Centre at 21 Deptford Broadway SE8 4PA.
Bear Church Deptford – Sundays
Sunday evening sit down meal every week 6.30 - 7.30pm during school term time apart from the first Sunday of the month. A drop in so people can just turn up, everyone welcome. Contact Richard on 07392 311794. At the Evelyn Community Centre, 1 Kingfisher Square, Clyde Street, SE8 5TW.
Bellingham Monday Lunch Club – Mondays
Lunch, bingo and raffle on Mondays 10.30am-2pm. It’s £5, which includes lunch, tea, coffee and bingo, and it’s 50p extra for the raffle. Contact Kathy on 07880 670 241. At Christ Church URC, Bellingham Green, SE6 3HQ.
CC Breakfast
A free weekly nutritious breakfast 6-9am, using eggs organically sourced F manor farms. Offered by the CC Foundation, the breakfast aims to help ease the pressure of the morning routine for young people by providing them with a space to prep before school/college and have a free breakfast. For more information and to sign up to join the waiting list here or email info@ccfoundationorg.com. 18 Eltham Road, SE12 8TF by Leegate House bus 122, 261, 202.
The Field – Fridays
Community meal from 6pm. Call or message 07856693527 to check they’re open that day as sometimes they may not be. The Field Community Centre, 385 Queen’s Road SE14 5HD.
FoodCycle Lewisham – Saturdays
Providing a free sit down three course vegetarian community meal from 1.30-3pm on Saturdays. Extra groceries to take away from Catford Fridge. No need to book, just turn up. Contact lewisham@foodcycle.org.uk. See: https://foodcycle.org.uk/location/foodcycle-lewisham/. At the Lewisham Irish Community Centre, 2a Davenport Road, SE6 2AZ.
Front Room Club - Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays
Mondays 10am-2pm, Tuesdays and Fridays - 9:30am-2:30pm. The Front Room Club is a cafe style drop in, providing a safe, welcoming and supportive place to grow. On Monday and Friday they have a lunch club where you can get a lovely two course lunch for just £3. Contact Sandra on 07930399907, see http://stlukesdownham.org.uk/front-room-club/. St Lukes Church, Northover, BR1 5JR.
Greater Faith Ministries Community Meal – Fridays (monthly)
Monthly free community meal on the second Friday of the month 5-7pm, first come, first served. Aiming to serve 30-40 people. Vegetarian options available. Contact: info.greaterfaith@gmail.com or call 0208 3141720. At the Leemore Centre, 29-31 Clarendon Rise, SE13 5EY, use the Bonfield Road Entrance.
Ichthus Church Community Table - Fridays
Fridays 1.30-3.30. A free main meal with dessert for anyone in the community. Signposting and support too. Contact: 07950 255 630. Ichthus Lee Green, 23 Lampmead Road, Lee, SE12 8QJ.
Kings Church The Feast - Wednesdays
Every Wednesday 7-9pm. A free three course meal along with signposting and support. Particular focus is on rough sleepers and homeless people. The Feast - King’s Church, Catford Hill, SE6 4PS.
Lewisham Islamic Centre - Saturdays
Saturdays 4-6pm. Hot soup to take away served outside. At LIC, 383 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6NZ.
RCCG Faith Chapel Lunch Hour - Saturdays
Open Saturdays 2-4pm on the second and fourth Saturday of the month. They offer a hot meal to take away for Bellingham residents. RCCG Faith Chapel, 108 Brookehowse Road, SE6 3TW.
Rehoboth Community Outreach - Mondays and Thursdays
Open Mondays & Thursdays from 11am-1pm. They can arrange deliveries for over 60s and families who would struggle to attend. Call 07487738908. Ray Champion Room, 1-18 Allwood Close, SE26 4JP.
Seventh-day Adventist Church - Thursdays
Open Thursdays from 5-6.30pm, giving away a hot meal and groceries. 434 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6LJ.
Silver Lunch Club - Thursdays with Ageing Well for over 50s
Thursdays 12.30-2.30pm, £5. Join for activities and a hot lunch. All welcome. Regular activities include arts and crafts and gentle exercise, and they often have speakers and presenters from other local groups and organisations. Wesley Halls, 2 Shroffield Road, Downham, BR1 5PE.
UCKG Soup Kitchen - Saturdays
Saturdays 11am-2pm. Providing home cooked soup, meals, and surplus food such as sandwiches, bread and milk to choose from and take away. Meat and vegetarian options. Call 020 8698 3612. UCKG Help Centre, 1 Bromley Road Catford, SE6 2TS.
