The largest emergency food agency in Epping Forest received big gift to help celebrate the second anniversary of its community surplus hub in Loughton.
Volunteers from 3Food4U came together with the community including residents, schools, churches, businesses, clubs, grant funders and local and county councillors to celebrate the occasion on September 27.
The Lions Club of Seven Kings has supported the charity since it was founded to help support the community throughout the pandemic and it was overwhelmed to to receive a donation of £7,500 from them on the day.
Cllr Stephen Murray, who has been an every present volunteer, said: "3Food4U makes an absolutely massive difference through five surplus food hubs on a weekly basis across our district.
“They run three memory cafes with others being planned and annually provides free school supplies for school children using their hubs. The group also provides a monthly venue at their hubs for free NHS health checks and a job club. All this helps hundreds of local families every single week here in Epping Forest.
“3Food4U started from scratch just over two years ago and has now established volunteer teams across our district working together in a wonderful spirit of cooperation and purpose.
"The volunteer team has a wonderful ethos and is essential to the success of this group. The users of the hubs often comment on the approach, help and warm response they receive from the volunteers.
“Having lived in the district for 63 years and been an elected councillor for over 40 years I can from a very secure knowledge base say I cannot think of any other volunteer team in EFDC that have made such an essential difference across the whole of our district from Ongar, to Chigwell, through to Loughton and Waltham Abbey."
3Food4U is offering free groceries, clothes and essentials without assessment or referral to anyone that needs it, but the charity does urgently need long life food donations.
These can be dropped of at any of the community surplus hubs, Balgores Estate Agents in Loughton and Ongar or call 01992 842642 to arrange a collection.
It’s hubs are open as follows:
- Monday: Waltham Abbey – 13 Sun Street - 11.30am to 1pm
- Tuesday: Loughton – Loughton Club, 8 Station Road - 11.30am to 1pm
- Wednesday: Chigwell Row – All Saints Church Hall, Romford Road - 5pm to 6.30pm
- Thursday: Ongar – Zinc Arts Centre, High Street - 1pm to 2.30pm
- Friday: Waltham Abbey – 13, Sun Street - 11.30am to 1pm
For further details, visit 3food4u.org, email info.3food4u@gmail.com or call 01992 842642.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here