GAIL's Bakery Crystal Palace

Each week we collect excess fresh food from local supermarkets, including Waitrose, Tesco, Aldi and M&S Food. This is usually food that is approaching its shelf-life and cannot be sold. Every Saturday afternoon we distribute this healthy food to local families and individuals in Croydon from our distribution point in Thornton Heath. We take referrals from Social Services, schools, family centres and medical centres. We also accept self-referrals from clients who can demonstrate they are on benefits, low income or otherwise in need. Our aim is to enable disadvantaged people and families to maintain a healthy diet while on a low income or no income at all. We also increase awareness of the problem of plastic pollution by encouraging clients to bring their own bags, by giving out re-cyclable bags ourselves and by distributing as much food as possible without plastic packaging.

The project is set to provide food parcel support to reach out to Families, vulnerable people and the homeless in the community regardless of age, gender, beliefs, race, and ethnic background. The targeted group includes families who are facing/experiencing financial difficulties due to the Cost of Living crisis, Unstable/socioeconomic conditions, mental illness and physical disabilities and who find it difficult in day-to-day living will benefit from the community project. We run indoor and outdoor activities for children and adults The project needs your donation support, such as groceries and other items, to meet our community needs.

At Living Well, we support homeless and vulnerable people in lots of important ways. We're supporting their physical well being by offering a nutritious meal once a week and through our foodbank that is open 3 times a week. Our community cafe that is open with each foodbank session meets peoples' emotional and social well-being by encouraging friendship and mutual support. We offer creative activities too through art therapy cafe and a choir. Our advocacy service gives practical advice on benefits, debt and housing issues along with welfare support. Our counsellor supports people in their emotional and psychological needs. All our services are free and open to anyone; the only restriction is for foodbank as people need to live in the postcode areas of SE19, SE20, SE26 or BR3 to get a food parcel. No referral is needed.