We’re delighted to share some fantastic updates this October, marking a new chapter of growth and clarity for our essential community service!

Official Recognition: Welcome to ILFB! 🎉

We are thrilled to announce that the Charity Commission has officially approved the new working name for our local service: the Ilford Lane Food Bank (ILFB)!

This is a significant step forward. Having a clear, dedicated name helps us better communicate our mission to the public, local partners, and the Redbridge families we serve. It formalises the fantastic work being done and ensures our identity is clear and focused.

To celebrate this milestone, we’ve launched a brand new, dedicated webpage for the project: , complete with a new logo! Head over to the ILFB page to see our weekly operating hours, location details, and how the referral process works.

Planning Ahead: Christmas Eve Service

With the festive season just around the corner, our dedicated, volunteer-run team is already making critical preparations to ensure our referred families have essential supplies over the Christmas closure period.

We recognise that many charities and food banks often close their doors in the days leading up to Christmas, leaving a huge gap in support. That’s why we’re committed to operating on Christmas Eve.

Thanks to our wonderful partnerships with organisations like The Felix Project, Fareshare, and Neighbourly, we are planning a special distribution to provide surplus food from supermarkets—including fresh groceries, fruit, and vegetables—directly to local people and families in need.

This effort is vital. By stepping up when other services are winding down, we can ensure that hundreds of referred individuals in the borough have the essential supplies they need to celebrate with dignity and without hunger.

Help Us Make the most of the festive season

Our success depends entirely on the generous spirit of our community. If you would like to support our Christmas Eve operations and help us manage the surge in need during the cold, expensive winter months, please consider:

1. Volunteering: We need extra hands for sorting and distribution in 24 December. You can register your interest to volunteer by email on volunteer@icss.org.uk
2. Donating: Financial donations are really helpful to support food bank operations.

Please visit our new ILFB webpage to find out details about the weekly foodbank on Mondays or the main ICSS website to find out how you can contribute to a warmer, brighter seasonal holidays for our Redbridge neighbours. Together, we can bridge the gap!