More than 100 food support services fear closure due to growing demand 

More than 100 food support organisations in South London fear they may be forced to close in the face of growing demand for their services, a new survey has found. 

The Felix Project – London’s largest food redistribution charity – surveyed all the community organisations it supports including food banks, pantries, community centres, homeless shelters, primary schools and faith organisations. 

Of the 193 community groups that responded, from Lewisham, Southwark, Lambeth and Croydon, 149 reported concerns about closing down.

The survey also found that 77 per cent said they are worried about being able to meet demand in the next 12 months, with 70 per cent already signposting people to further services for support.

Rehoboth Community Outreach in Sydenham, receives more than 7,000KG of food from The Felix Project’s Deptford Depot every month to feed around 450 people in the community. 

Founder Paula Walker-Litchmore said: “Working with Felix has helped us to meet the growing demand, which we now face daily. 

“In 2020 we were only opening on Mondays. Between 2021 and 2024 we have scaled up and since September 2023 have been opening four days a week. 

“The ever-increasing numbers of people experiencing food insecurity is a huge concern for us, we really need Felix so we can support and feed communities and help to rescue good quality food that was at risk of going to waste.”

Across London, data from the Felix Project shows that one in five foodbanks expect to see a significant increase in demand in the next year. 

Charlotte Hill OBE, chief executive officer of Felix, said: “We know the cost-of-living crisis is having a devastating effect on people’s lives and it is not going away, in fact it seems to just get worse. 

“This survey was carried out before what was called ‘awful April’ when people saw hikes in their council tax, energy, water and broadband bills. 

“This will have further squeezed people’s budgets, left them with even less to cover food and resulted in more anxiety about being able to afford to feed themselves and their families.

“The organisations we support are doing everything they can to help, but it is clear The Felix Project plays a vital role, and I hope people and the food industry will help us continue to be there.”

Pictured top: The Felix Project is London’s largest food redistribution charity (Picture: Felix Project)