Tin in a Bin will host a drag queen bingo night in Wanstead on 23 November to raise funds for Redbridge Foodbank’s warehouse renovation project. James Nunn reports on the charity’s recent work
Since our last article in June, where we outlined Redbridge Foodbank’s warehouse renovation project, we have progressed at pace. Our dedicated team have battled the summer heat and overcome challenges with material delivery, water ingression and timelines – they have our everlasting gratitude, as do the community members who enable the project itself by donating and supporting it. Everything Redbridge Foodbank is able to do for local people in need is facilitated by its generous donors.
Over the past four months, renovations have been completed on the flooring and installation of the volunteer bathrooms and kitchen has begun. As I write, we are awaiting delivery of a new ventilation unit.
Once completed, the warehouse space will enable the streamlining of the current operational model, cut running costs, increase storage capacity, provide a safe working environment for volunteers and allow for the reintroduction of the Redbridge Foodbank Cafe, where clients can enjoy a cup of tea while they speak with our trained volunteers, who can signpost them to expert local organisations that can address the underlying issue leading to them needing our services.
This renovation project has been funded through a mixture of grants, local appeal funding and unrestricted funds. With phase two coming to a close, we are currently fundraising for our final phase, which will operationalise the space to realise the objectives of Redbridge Foodbank: “To relieve hunger and poverty in our local community by feeding people in crisis, promote social inclusion, advance education, training and retraining among unemployed people and develop the capacity and skills of members of the community so they are equipped to identify and meet their own needs.”
Redbridge Foodbank has a proven track record of delivering for our shared local community. A total of 16,771 food parcels were distributed to clients in the last financial year. This breaks down to 10,138 adults and 6,633 children (including repeat visits). And our successful programme with Citizens Advice Redbridge (which began two years ago) has facilitated 1,137 consultations with clients. As a result of these consultations and follow up work, 716 clients have been empowered to support themselves without needing the food bank to survive.
If you would like to help Redbridge Foodbank, whether by volunteering, donating food and hygiene products or donating financially, your gifts will be gratefully received.
A drag queen bingo night organised by Tin in a Bin will take place at Christ Church hall, Wanstead on 23 November from 7pm (tickets: £15). Visit wnstd.com/bingo
To donate to Redbridge Foodbank, visit redbridgefoodbank.org.uk
