Bounds Green Food Bank
Bounds Green Food Bank is an independent community-run charity. Guests must live within the postcodes N11, N8 0__, N8 7__, N13 or N22. To find out whether you qualify for help, visit this page on the food bank's website.
The food bank is based at St Michael's Hall on the corner of Bounds Green Road and Selborne Road and is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 1pm to 4pm (one weekly visit per guest).
The Bounds Green Food Bank story
Bounds Green Food Bank grew out of the work of residents who mobilised to provide support for all in Bounds Green during the Covid-19 pandemic. The local organisations were:
- Bounds Green Mutual Aid (Haringey)
- Bowes Park Community Association (Enfield)
- Bounds Green North Community (Enfield)
A month before the lockdown of 2020, we established a network of street groups ready to help neighbours with shopping, prescription deliveries and friendly support. Once these services were running the need for a weekly food parcel delivery service became apparent. We were helped by Palmers Green Mosque, who stepped in to provide a supply of donated food to residents.
As the end of the three month lockdown neared, we recognised that the economic fallout of the pandemic was likely to grow leaving many people in the area facing ongoing food insecurity. Establishing a Food Bank seemed to be the most appropriate response. An enthusiastic and dedicated group of coordinators came together under the joint organisation of Bounds Green Mutual Aid and Bowes Park Community Association. The Food Bank opened in June 2020 just as the lockdown was easing.
Our initial funding came from Haringey Giving and London Community Response Fund. We also have the benefit of accessing a strong network of food donation suppliers across North London. Local residents support us with food contributions, regular monthly donations, and their time volunteering.
We now have more than 350 guests visiting the food bank every week. This equates to around 1,000 adults and children locally still facing food insecurity. We are an independent community-based charity run entirely by volunteers and rely on food and cash donations - we need to reaise £60,000 each year.
