Food banks have become an essential part of our economy these days as more and more people find themselves trapped in low income jobs or having to exist on government benefits. 

Most are run by charities and rely on donations of dry and non-perishable food from local people with a heart for those less well-off than themselves.

In Thornton Heath, however, is a food bank with a difference. The
Alive Community Centre Food Bank distributes fresh fruit, vegetables and bread every week. With a network of contacts among local supermarkets, volunteers drive miles each week picking up fresh food to hand out to needy families on Saturday afternoons.

The Alive Community Centre Food Bank is a partnership between two churches; Elim Pentecostal Church and Word of Life Church. Based in the Elim church building in Mersham Road, the food bank has become popular among families in the area, as well as drawing clients through referrals.

The Green Lane Co-Operative supermarket adopted the Alive food bank as one of its local good causes this year and has raised over £3,000 for
the partnership, which will help them to obtain a van for their collections.
A spokesman for the food bank said, “We are delighted to be able to serve the community by helping less well-off families keep up a healthy diet with good fresh food. At the same time we are helping the supermarkets to control the amount of excess food they would otherwise dispose of as waste.”
Anyone on benefits or a low income can visit the food bank any Saturday 1 to 2pm – all you need to bring is proof of benefits or tax credits.

For further information, contact Matilda Kuofi on 07949 489075.