Winter collection for Islington Food Bank launches at Town Hall

To help make sure that the food bank has enough supplies to support local people and families over the busy Christmas period, the council is putting collection boxes in the foyer of the Town Hall from today. Donations can be made by members of the public between 8am – 5pm Monday to Friday and 8:30am – 12:30pm on Saturday.

Urgently needed items include tinned tomatoes, long-life fruit juice, cereal, tinned fruit, tinned rice pudding, pasta sauce, tinned meat and fish and long grain rice. For a full list see https://islington.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food/

The joint initiative between the council and Islington Food Bank will help to ensure people do not go hungry and support those in need during the holiday season.  As well as encouraging members of the public to donate, the council is calling on its staff to give what they can as well.

The majority of the supplies that get distributed by food banks come from public donations and in recent years many have seen demand peak in December. For some people, Christmas can bring anxiety and worry, and the council and the food bank are supporting those who are at risk by providing food for meals. Alongside the extra pressures of the Christmas period, there has been a steep rise in referrals to food banks in Islington due to government welfare reforms, with 44 additional referrals made to local food banks between June 2018 and September 2018 due to Universal Credit.

Cllr Troy Gallagher, who had the idea for the collection point, said: “Islington has a fantastic community spirit, and so many generous people.  We’re asking our local residents if they can help others in their community at an often difficult time of year.

“Whatever you can give, if you are able to help by donating what you can this will be hugely appreciated and will go a long way in supporting local people who are in need.

“Together we can help make a difference - we will do everything we can to ensure no person or family in Islington goes hungry this Christmas.”

Kathy Weston from Islington Food Bank, said: “Islington Food Bank is grateful to Islington Council employees and members of the public for their help during the festive period. Their generosity will go directly towards helping people who find themselves in hardship in the local area.”

The Town Hall collection runs until Monday 17 December and all items will be donated to Islington Food Bank.

Islington Food Bank accepts collections every Monday and Saturday throughout the year at Highbury Roundhouse Youth and Community Centre, between 2pm and 5pm.