Help with food

Tips for managing food bills

Our tips for managing food bills section gives more information to help you juggle the cost of your food bills.

How to reduce food waste

A typical family throws away £60 worth of food every month on average. For some great tips on how you can reduce food waste visit Love Food, Hate Waste. 

Organisations providing help with food

If you are struggling to get food for yourself or your family there are a number of food aid organisations in Tower Hamlets that can help. Use our help with food map to find organisations which may be able to support you.

Types

• Open Access
  A food bank that anyone can go to for food
  
  
• Limited Access/by referral only
  A Food bank that needs someone to refer you into the service. Please contact the organisation for more details
  
  
• School food provision
  A food bank or food aid service that specifically works with students and parents who attend the school
  
  
• Hot meals service/Hostel
  Provides hot meals or premade goods to residents

Tower Hamlets FOOD Stores – (Limited Access/referral only)

The council has set up several FOOD Stores in the borough that are there to support people who cannot afford enough food for themselves or their families.

These are places you can go to pick up a week’s worth of food in exchange for a small membership fee. At the same time, you will be supported in other areas that you might need help with.

This includes help with issues around

• housing
• benefits access
• employment and more.

To find out more or to become a member email thefoodstore@towerhamlets.gov.uk with your name, address, postcode, date of birth and contact number.

Bethnal Green Foodbank – (Open Access)

Opening times: Monday 8am to 12.30pm and Wednesday 2 to 7pm

Raines Foundations School, Approach Road, E2 9LY

For more information please visit Bow Food Bank website.

Bow Food Bank – (Open Access)

This location closed on 1 September 2023. A new Bow location will be opening later in 2023.

For more information please visit the Bow Food Bank website.

Ensign Youth Club – (Open Access)

Opening times: Friday 10am to 1pm

Wellclose Square, E1 8HY

Contact: info@ensign.org.uk

Bow Muslim Cultural Centre – (Open Access)

Opening times: Friday 11am to 3pm

246 Bow Road, London, E3 3AP

Contact: info@bowcentralmosque.co.uk

St Dunstan's Food Bank – (Open Access)

Opening times: Tuesday 11am to 3pm and Friday 11am to 3pm

St. Dunstans & All Saints Church, Stepney High St, London, E1 0NR

SACC Food Bank – (Limited Access/by referral only)

Opening times: Quarterly on Wednesdays from 3 to 4.30pm

St Anne’s Catholic Church, Underwood Road, E1 5AW

Contact: underwoodroad@rcdow.org.uk or 020 7247 7833

Referrals can be discussed by email or contact number.

Food for Aldgate – (Limited Access/by referral only)

Opening times: Friday 1 to 3pm

Tonybee Hall, 28 Commercial Street, London, E1 6AB

Contact: Paul.wilson@eastendhomes.net or Twitter @FoodForAldgate.

Food for Mile End – (Limited Access/by referral only)

Opening times: Thursday 2.30 to 4pm

Southern Grove Community Centre, Southern Grove, London, E3 4FX

Contact: billy.howell@eastendhomes.net

Please be aware this food bank prioritises East End Homes residents.

Women’s Inclusive Team – (Limited Access/by referral only)

Opening times: Appointment provided after referral

Mayfield House 202 Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9LJ

Contact: 07415 372 664 or email shakilaa@wit.org.uk

Neighbours in Poplar – (Limited Access/by referral only)

Please be aware that this service is only available for residents in E14 postcodes

Opening times: Tuesday 10.30am to 12pm

St. Matthias Community Centre, 113 Poplar High Street, London, E14 0AE

Contact: 020 7531 0190 or email enquiries@neighboursinpoplar.com

Our Forgotten Neighbours – (Open Access – Hot meals service)

Opening times: Thursday 5pm

Outside Toynbee Hall, Community Centre, 28 Commercial St, E1 6LS

Contact: Email: info@ourforgottenneighbours.net and ​​Tel: 07496530878

Visit the our forgotten neighbours website for more information. 

Come early to avoid disappointment

FoodCycle Bow Road – (Open Access – Hot meals service)

Opening times: Friday 7pm

Bow Road Methodist Church, 1 Merchant Street, London, E3 4LY

Contact: bowroad@foodcycle.org.uk

FoodCycle Bow Road welcomes anyone to attend as a guest and enjoy a FREE hot meal. No need to book. Just turn up on the day!

Dorset Community Food Hub – (Open Access – Hot meals service)

Opening times: Thursday 12 to 3pm

Ground floor, former Dorset library, E2 8QX

For more information please visit the Dorset Community website.

Edward Gibbons House – (Hostel)

Opening times: 24 hours

1 Parmiter Street, E2 9NG

For more information please visit Providence Row website.

Hague Primary School - School food provision (Pupils and families only)

Opening times: Friday 2 to 3.30pm

Hague Primary School, E2 0BP

For more information please ask at the school office.

Stewart Headlam Primary School - School food provision (Pupils and families only)

Opening times: Monday – Friday 8.40am to 3.40pm

Tapp Street, London, E1 5RE

For more information please ask at the school office.

Wellington Primary School Food and Hygiene bank - School food provision (Pupils and families only)

Opening times: Tuesday 2 to 3pm

Wellington Way, Bow, E3 4NE

Contact: admin@wellingtonprimary.org               

Complete the online request form.

St Elizabeth Pop Up Kitchen - School food provision (Pupils and families only)

Opening times: Friday 3.45 to 5pm

St Elizabeth Primary School, entrance on Waterloo Gardens, E2 9JY

Contact the school office school@st-elizabeth.uk

For more information please visit St Elizabeth School website / Caritas Twitter page.

Bygrove School - School food provision (Pupils and families only)

Opening times: Monday – Friday (Term Time Only)

Bygrove Street, E14 6DN

For more information please visit the Bygrove School website

Langdon Park School - School food provision (Pupils and families only)

Opening times: Monday – Friday 8am to 4pm

Bright Street, London, E14 0RZ

For more information please ask at the school office.

Olga Primary School Foodbank - School food provision (Pupils and families only)

Opening times: Friday 3 to 4pm

Olga Primary School, E3 5DN

Contact: 020 8981 7127

For more information please ask at the school office.

Globe Primary School - School food provision (Pupils and families only)

Opening times: Friday from 3pm

Globe Primary School, E2 0JH

For more information please visit Globe Primary School website.

William Davis Food Bank - School food provision (Pupils and families only)

Opening times: Friday 2 to 3pm

William Davis School, E2 6ET

Contact: 020 7739 1511