Households and businesses join Halloween food bank trail

A Halloween Food bank trail is coming to Hackney and organisers are urging businesses and residents to take part.

Since its launch four years ago, Trick or Eat has collected more than eight tonnes of food for food banks across East London. Households place collection boxes outside their homes on the afternoon/evening of Halloween for families to drop donations of non-perishable food in while they’re out trick or treating.

The initiative is organised by London’s shop-local card the Local Buyers Club. Founder Jenna Fansa said: “Like many families, we enjoy getting dressed up for Halloween and the kids love collecting treats - but with so many people in our community going hungry, Trick or Eat is a chance to gently shift the focus towards giving and hopefully ease the pressure on the food bank. Children really enjoy following the map to find places to donate.

"We’d love to hear from homes and businesses willing to act as collection points on Monday October 31st so we can add them to the trail. I’d urge anyone out trick or treating in Hackney this Halloween to buy some store-cupboard essentials to donate to the food bank.”

Demand for Hackney Foodbank is up by more than 125% since before the pandemic and food donations have halved as the cost-of-living crisis impacts regular donors. Around 40% of the people supported by the food bank are employed.

Tanya Whitfield, Head of Services for Hackney Foodbank, added: “Trick or Eat makes a big difference to us each year. The Local Buyers Club team puts considerable effort into running this event and we’re always moved to tears by the response. Things are pretty tough at the moment. We’re having to give out no-heat food parcels to some residents who can’t afford to heat food and, as people struggle to meet the cost of living, we’re seeing huge demand which will only worsen as the evenings get colder.”

Traders in Stoke Newington are among those supporting the event – many will be open to Trick or Treaters from 3pm till 6pm on October 31st and will have collection boxes for the food bank too.

Items in short supply include corned beef, tea and coffee, tinned fruit, tinned meat, tinned vegetables, long-life juice, loo rolls, biscuits, UHT milk, curry sauce, pasta sauce, shampoo, shower gel and sanitary towels.

To sign up for Trick or Eat visit www.trickoreat.co.uk

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