The Ilford Lane Food Bank (ILFB) is a community initiative (run 100% by volunteers) supporting local families in need. ILFB is a dedicated weekly service providing essential food support to referred families in the London Borough of Redbridge.

How It Works

ILFB is mostly a referral-only service. To ensure we can help those most in need, all families wishing to access the food bank need to be referred by an official agency, such as local schools, health professionals or social workers to Redbridge Council. This system ensures that our limited resources are directed to the families facing the greatest hardship in the borough.

While our partnerships are important, a huge amount of work takes place behind the scenes every single week to keep Ilford Lane Food Bank running and without our volunteers none of this would be possible. Throughout the week, our team works with partners to collect donated food from over 20 local supermarkets. This food would otherwise go to waste and end up in landfill, but instead helps stock the food bank and support local families who need it most.

We don’t just rely on donations. The food bank also buys essential everyday items that families often struggle to afford, such as cooking staples like oil and sugar, cleaning products, and household essentials. We also provide ladies’ sanitary products, helping to tackle period poverty and ensure dignity for women and girls.

This work is especially important during the colder months and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. With household bills at an all-time high, many people find it difficult to manage the basics, and even a simple weekly food shop is a financial strain. Our aim is to ease some of that pressure and help people get through challenging times.

By providing fresh fruit and vegetables, we give families the opportunity to prepare healthy meals at home, particularly for their children, supporting their wellbeing and long-term health.

An added benefit of working in this way is that the food bank naturally reaches those most in need, including families with children who may not be accessing support elsewhere. This creates an important opportunity for Redbridge Council to connect with these families on site and ensure they are signposted to the right services and support. By working together, we help families get the help they need to improve stability, confidence, and their ability to fully take part in community life.

Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, partners, and supporters, ILFB continues to support the community — not just on distribution days, but throughout the week

Partnerships

ILFB is a collaborative effort, proudly run by Helping Hopes and ICSS in conjunction with Neighbourly, Fareshare and The Felix Project alongside Redbridge Council. This partnership ensures we can effectively serve our community and reach those who need assistance most.

Food Bank Sessions

Location: Ilford Engagement Hub, Ilford Lane, Junction of Mayville Road, Ilford, IG1 2HX

Supporting Our Community

We are committed to ensuring no one goes hungry. So, we also deliver fresh fruit, vegetables, and groceries throughout the week to those who can’t physically get to the food bank in London Boroughs of Newham, Redbridge and Tower Hamlets.

Who we are

We are proud to be an initiative that is 100% volunteer-run, with all leadership and operations driven by unpaid volunteers from both charities Helping Hopes and ICSS. This collaborative effort began with Asim Shah of Helping Hopes, which successfully launched the food bank alongside Redbridge Council in January 2024 and was later joined by ICSS.

Get Involved

As a completely volunteer-led initiative, we rely on the kindness and dedication of our community.

Volunteer: We are always looking for passionate people to help with sorting, packing, and distribution during our weekly sessions.

Donate: Financial donations are vital for purchasing fresh and essential items to supplement the food we receive from our partners.

The Ilford Lane Food Bank is a project run by Helping Hopes and ICSS working with the community for the community.