During 2020, St Matthew’s became the host of the Bethnal Green Foodbank, part of Bow Foodbank Ltd. The rapid growth of the Foodbank has sparked a number of conversations in the wider parish about justice issues related to food poverty.
The Bothy Project
We the Bothy Project food co-op every Wednesday from 1-3pm in the parish rooms. It stocks a variety of food, toiletries, and other essentials. You can buy 12 items for £5 or 5 items for £3. Fruit, vegetables, and bread are free.
If you are interested in volunteering, please email admin@st-matthews.org.uk.
Leonard’s Lunchbox – Pet food bank
Our parish rooms also host Leonard’s Lunchbox, a dedicated pet food back, at 6.30-7.30pm every Thursday. As well as helping people to feed their pets, they create a space for people to find community.
Leonard’s Lunchbox is completely volunteer-runs and relies on private donations. If you would like to help them continue their excellent work, please consider visiting their fundraising page here.
Food Bank
Do check out the Bethnal Green Food Bank website — all the info you need is here. It runs at Raines School on Approach Road each Wednesday from 2-7 pm.
bethnalgreenfoodbank.org.
For general inquiries, please email bethnalgreenfoodbank@gmail.com.You can also follow them on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Food & justice drama project
As part of St Matthew’s Resource Church Partnership with St George-in-the-East, a group of parishioners from St Matthew’s, St George’s, at St Stephen’s Manor park have been working to create a piece of ‘street theatre’ about some experiences of poverty and food deprivation in the East End. For more information about this project or to get involved, email rector@st-matthews.org.uk