A borough of contrasts
Hammersmith & Fulham, like much of London, is a borough of extremes. “There are big pockets of wealth and big pockets of poverty,” says Phil Story, CEO of Hammersmith & Fulham Foodbank. “The food bank is really needed in this borough.”
Running eight sessions a week across six days, the food bank serves a diverse community. “We see a very different type of person depending on the area,” Phil explains. “Some sessions serve single people living in hostels, often with just a kettle to cook with. Others serve large families with five or six kids, who need much bigger food parcels.” The food bank tailors its support to meet these needs, ensuring people receive what will actually help them.
Rising demand, limited resources
The past few years have seen a dramatic increase in demand. “With the cost of living crisis, our numbers doubled within three months,” Phil shares. “Then, last winter, we saw numbers go up by another 25%. We’re now feeding about 2,500 people a month, and we don’t know how much it’ll increase this Christmas.”
This surge in demand has created significant challenges, particularly in maintaining enough food stock. “The biggest challenge is the gap between what’s donated and what’s needed,” Phil says. “We have to find ways to decrease that gap—whether that’s increasing food donations, financial support, or volunteer help.”
What’s needed (and what’s not!)
Walking through the warehouse, it’s clear that some items are more common than others. “We tend to see a lot of pasta and tins of beans—those are the traditional food bank donations,” Phil says. “But we don’t just give food; we try to provide toiletries like shower gel, toothpaste, toothbrushes, nappies, and feminine hygiene products—things that are just as essential as food.”
How Bankuet helps fill the gaps
That’s where Bankuet comes in. “The great thing about Bankuet is that it allows us to fill the gaps,” Phil explains. “There will always be items people don’t donate, but with Bankuet, we can order exactly what we need and have it delivered straight to us. Every Monday morning, a van arrives, and our volunteers get to work sorting and packing food for our sessions.”
A story of generosity
Despite the challenges, Phil is constantly inspired by the generosity of the community. “Just yesterday, our warehouse coordinator was emptying the donation bin at Tesco when he saw someone drop off an entire trolley’s worth of food,” Phil recalls. “He went to thank her, and she told him she was a single mother. She didn’t have a lot of money, but she had everything she needed for her kids this Christmas—so she wanted to give what she had left to help others.”
“It’s moments like these that remind us how much this community cares. We see incredible generosity every day, and we’re privileged to help facilitate that support for those who need it most.”
How you can help
With demand rising, Hammersmith & Fulham Foodbank needs your support. Whether you donate food, money, or time, every contribution makes a difference.
One of the easiest ways to help is by donating through their page on Bankuet. By donating online, you ensure the food bank receives exactly what’s needed, when it’s needed.
“A massive thank you to every donor,” Phil says. “People might think they’re just giving money, but what that turns into is a van arriving with food that goes straight onto local families’ tables. That’s the difference you’re making.”
Help Bankuet get food banks what they need, when they need it.