Lidl Eastbourne Seaside

A Traditional Community Centre in Eastbourne which includes a Community Fridge and Shop, After-School Clubs, 3 Parties for the Children each year, Cookery Classes, Community Feasts, Lending Library of Things, Camerado's (Public Living Room). A year round welcoming, warm, safe space to have a hot drink, something to eat and someone to talk too with help and advice on where further help can be accessed. We identified the need for a Community Centre in 2016 and most of our clients live within a few minutes walk, but everyone is welcome. We ask for a small donation for the Fridge, refreshments and the clubs if people can afford it.

Eastbourne foodbank is the busiest in Sussex, supporting 1,500+ people every month with emergency food., including some of the most vulnerable people. We started in June 2011 and since then, to June 2025, have provided a staggering, 1,972,160 meals. In addition, we support charity projects who serve foods to clients with our bulk sized foods. We provide advice / advocacy / debt / PIP & DLA support alongside our Baby Basics project. Our warehouse operates with two vans, we have two offices and have 135 volunteers. Operating 6 active foodbanks: www.eastbourne.goodbank.org.uk/locations

'Food4Thought" are a team of people who are dedicated to help homeless and vulnerable people. We help and support those less fortunate in life. Our goal is realistic, to help one person at a time to get back on their feet. The Matthew 25 Mission has a day centre that vulnerable people can access 7 days per week. Vulnerable people get referred to the Mission mostly by other statutory authorities, word of mouth and partner groups. We provide a listening ear and sympathetic pastoral care with information and advice as well as provision of food, clothing and basic necessities. Food4Thought was founded in 2015 as a self-funded community group by myself, Marisa Forte-Ellis. Our Mission is inspired by our personal values to assist in meeting the needs of Eastbourne's homeless/vulnerable/disadvantaged community without discrimination. We welcome our guests with warmth, care and the respect they deserve regardless of age, gender or race. In 2015 I identified a gap on Friday evenings in Eastbourne Town centre. My aim was to provide our vulnerable street community with hot/cold beverages and healthy nutritious meals. This continued on a weekly basis until lockdown in March 2020 when, with the valued support of Matthew 25 Mission and Absolute Angels group volunteers, Food4Thought Friday evening services were re-located to outside the Matthew 25 Mission premises to facilitate safe social distancing measures for both volunteers and guests. This continues to date with the ongoing support of Matthew 25 Mission, donations from family and friends and food surplus donations from Marks & Spencer and Lidl, Eastbourne.