Pret Notting Hill Gate

We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis. We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by Trussell, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

Our project started by simply distributing surplus food to people in need. Slowly our network got bigger that we could not knock on each door on our list anymore, so we agreed I park at one point everyday after collection, and people come to take food. At first people were reluctant to come out of their houses, specially after many recent crimes that happened in Parry road. But slowly people started having the trust to come out and have small chat, and in few weeks all the community were waiting for the slot to distribute, only to meet and have small chat. One lady told me I lived at my address for over 15 years, and this is the first time I know who are my neighbours. We created whatsapp group where I post photo of the food collected, and people get notified so they come and wait. Then we added on the group posting unwanted clothes or furniture, and people welcomed the idea and used it a lot. Now the charity who was giving us the slots ended, people were sad. First they were relying financially a lot on this food, and 2nd they stopped coming out and gathering for chats when taking food. People and children are stopping me in the streets to ask me why we stopped or when we are coming back. I can provide more than 50 family contacts, and I can provide extract of the group chats as testimonial of our work for the last few years. In the last year our group expanded a lot. Many people volunteered, we have in total 23 volunteers who are reaching more areas, more people in need, and more charities. We distribute in weekly basis to Lebanese welfare community in Kilburn, to al Nour Arabic school, Mozart street hostel for homeless. One of our volunteers works in care home in Maida Vale and she takes sandwiches and cakes to elderly people who waits for it. Also we do distribute in Harrow road near Zagros where many people who are in need gather evening. We give to Emmanuel Pantry Harrow road 2 days a week. We distribute to Avenues club in Third Avenue, and to the food bank in Queenspark Primary. Our group is always open to anyone who wants to join. People from the group always send me messages to add more people they know or they just met and they believe they need those donations. Our group currently has 70 members, who some of them also take to people they know.

At Almanar we have a busy and vibrant kitchen. We cook for the community on a very regular basis we have group of women ( hubb community ladies) they provide meals for the community and beyond. At almanar we are committed to tackle food wastage and hunger where and whenever we can, we open our door to all regardless or race or religion. We have collaborated with the Red Cross on their refugee day and provided a selection of dishes for their beneficiaries. On the Monday and Thursday evenings we offered dinners to the local community that was fasting or needed a meal, just to mention a few as we have many other projects ongoing and incoming. This is why food donations are so important to us it allows us to carry on cooking and helping and makes it in some way sustainable.