Fill a box for people in crisis this Lent

Households are being urged to support people in crisis this Lent by donating food and toiletries to Hackney Foodbank.

From February 18th, residents are being asked to take part in Give in Lent and donate one item per day or £1 per day for 40 days. The idea is to fill a box with food and bring it to the food bank’s warehouse at the end of Lent.

Pat Fitzsimons, CEO of Hackney Foodbank, said: “This winter has been particularly tough here as thousands of residents struggle to afford even the basics.  We run six food distribution centres and a mobile food bank and provide emergency food for around 680 people each week.  Our resources are being stretched to the limits.

“Lent is traditionally the time to go without and to consider the needs of others – this year we are pleading with those who can, to mark this special moment in the Christian calendar by donating to people experiencing food poverty.”

Hackney has the second highest level of deprivation in children and older people in England - 64% of children and 55% of older people here live in income deprived homes.   In 2025, the food bank distributed the equivalent of 311,985 emergency meals (an 18% increase on the year before).

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (this year that’s February 18th) and it ends on Thursday April 2nd. Among the items requested for Give in Lent are baked beans, tinned tomatoes, cereal, tinned custard, tinned vegetables, tinned fruit and shampoo.

Click here to download the Give in Lent calendar.

Donations should be dropped to Hackney Foodbank at the Wally Foster Community Centre, Homerton Road, Hackney, E9 5QB, or visit www.hackney.foodbank.org.uk/donate