TRICK OR EAT!
We're turning Halloween on its head this year.
As well as trick-or-treating for sweets, families are invited to don their scary costumes and ask neighbours for food donations for Hackney Foodbank.
The scheme is being run by the Local Buyers Club in partnership with Location Location estate agency in Stoke Newington. Both companies have been long-term supporters of the Food Bank.
Jenna Fansa, co-founder of the Local Buyers Club, said: “We’re asking local families to bring buggies, bags or even wheelbarrows when they trick or treat and, instead of just sweets, to collect food for people in our community who are experiencing poverty. The kids are sure to get some sweets along the way too!”
WHAT DOES THE FOOD BANK NEED?
Items typically in short supply at the Food Bank include tins of meat, fish and vegetables, dried pasta, curry sauce, long-life juice and milk and toiletries.
WHERE TO DELIVER THE FOOD
Trick or treaters can drop their donations at Location Location on Stoke Newington Church Street any time before 10pm on October 31 or during office hours in the following days and the Local Buyers Club will pass them on to the Food Bank.
Vicky Bibiris, of Location Location, said: “This idea was inspired by two little boys in Gloucestershire who ran a similar scheme three years ago – we wanted to follow their example and try to encourage a community to join us!”
Demand for Hackney Foodbank has risen by over 40% in the past year, due in part to spiralling rents, low wages and zero-hours contracts.
Melanie Rochford, Business and Development Director at Hackney Foodbank, said: “Having two boys who love to go crazy on the sugar rush that we have now come to expect on Halloween, I would dearly love to reduce that sugar craziness that makes us parents cringe. What better way of doing it than to use the occasion to do something more wholesome and meaningful, in a way that children can relate to?”
Join the Club and we'll donate £5 to Hackney Foodbank
We're on a mission to keep London's communities thriving
Join the Local Buyers Club and, for just £12 per year, you'll be helping to support independent business and you'll benefit from over 150 discounts of 10-25% at shops, cafes, restaurants and more
We help shine a light on great independents and raise awareness of the advantages of shopping locally. We also organise and support community initiatives
But we can only do it with the support of our wonderful members
Use code FOODBANKFIVE to join for just £10 - we'll donate £5 to Hackney Foodbank
Click to find out how it works and JOIN THE CLUB