A Bermondsey food bank has found permanent premises after years of uncertainty.
Love North Southwark was previously running out of two rooms in the Cherry Garden Estate tenants’ and residents’ (TRA) hall, which meant that boss Kathleen Heather and other volunteers had to take everything down so other activities can take place in the hall on the days when the food bank isn’t running.
Now they have moved a few minutes’ walk down Southwark Park Road to two units in Gataker House on the Slippers Place Estate.
Kathleen said: “Love North Southwark have worked hard in the last year to get a space of our own. We have moved three times in two years but never gave up.”
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Kathleen and volunteers are running a food pantry out of one unit five days a week, with twelve items available for £5. They are refurbishing another unit to put on activities for people of all ages.
The cost of living crisis and end of the temporary uplift to universal credit has meant demand on Love North Southwark and other local foodbanks has risen in recent months
Kathleen and her volunteers are keen for Love North Southwark to have a community atmosphere, and they run an advice service for people struggling to navigate the benefits system.
But she added: “We are open to everyone, not just people on benefits, as everyone is finding the cost of living hard.”
The new address is 4-5 Gataker House, Slippers Place, SE16 2EN.