Early May Bank Holiday closing
Needed food items
Impact Report
Colour Run
Luton Foodbank Newsletter: April 2026
Bringing you exciting events, community updates, and ways to get involved.
Contents
National Landscape & Local Reality
The national landscape remains challenging as we move into the second quarter of the year. Recent 2026 data from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation highlights a sobering reality: over 14.2 million people in the UK are currently living in poverty. Most concerning is the rise in “very deep poverty,” which now affects 6.8 million people—nearly half of all those in poverty. These households are surviving on incomes at least 40% below the poverty line, making it impossible to afford basic essentials like food and heating.
In Luton, the pressure is felt acutely. Our town is ranked as one of the most deprived local authorities in the country, with local estimates suggesting that approximately 1 in 10 households are living in destitution. Furthermore, over half of Luton’s households (50.1%) are currently living below the “financial quality of life” line.
April at a Glance: Our Impact
At Luton Foodbank, we see these statistics in the faces of the people we support every day. Our figures for April 2026 include:
- Total Food Parcels Distributed: 1,552
- Adult Parcels: 1,111
- Child Parcels: 411
- Information & Signpost Advisor (ISA) Support: 113 clients helped
Marathon Heroes: Ian and Jordan
A huge congratulations to Ian Jordan and Jordan Ball, who successfully completed the London Marathon this past Sunday! Running 26.2 miles is a monumental achievement, and we are incredibly proud of their dedication.
The funds raised by Ian and Jordan will go directly toward purchasing essential food items for our food parcels. Their sweat and determination mean that more families in Luton will have a meal on the table this week.
Run for us in 2027!
Inspired by Ian and Jordan? We have 2 more spaces available for the London Marathon 2027. We are looking for runners with a minimum fundraising target of £2,000. If you are interested in taking on this incredible challenge, please email [email protected]
Beyond Emergency Support: Luton Food Club
Our Food Club offers a dignified and choice-based alternative for people who face ongoing hardship, including those in-work, older residents, and those who have used the foodbank more than five times. It offers a dignified alternative alongside our emergency parcels.
Members make a small £5 contribution, which allows them to choose the items that best suit their household, giving families greater control.
Partner with us: We are looking to expand our network of referral partners. If your organisation supports families who would benefit from this choice-based model, we would love to collaborate. Learn more: Food Club – Luton FoodBank
Building Crisis Resilience: Essential Skills Workshops
Ending hunger requires building crisis resilience. Our Essential Skills Workshops cover everything from budget management and energy-saving tips to nutritious cooking—giving residents the tools to weather financial shocks.
For more information on how to attend or support these sessions, visit Essential Skills – Luton FoodBank.
Information Signpost Advisor (ISA)
Our Advisor spoke to 113 clients this month. The Information & Signpost Advisor (ISA) provides tailored support to clients in crisis, addressing food and fuel poverty.
If you would like information or support, please visit Get Advice – Luton FoodBank.
Upcoming Events:
Colour Run 2026: Get Ready!
Our annual Colour Run is fast approaching, and we are thrilled to announce our sponsors for this year’s event:
- Headline Sponsor: Luton Rising
- Gold Sponsor: Veezu (previously known as Go Cars)
- Silver Sponsor: Barclays
- Bronze Sponsor: Greenbridge Housing, Delicious Desserts
High Schools Stepping Up
We have a fantastic line-up of high schools already signed up to participate:
Challney Boys, Challney Girls, Lea Manor, Putteridge, The Chalk Hills Academy, Denbigh High, The Stockwood Park Academy, Chiltern Academy, and QES.
Primary School Momentum
Schools already signed up include: Beechwood Primary, Crawley Green Infants, Warden Hill Juniors, Wenlock, and Beech Hill.
Still time to sign up! If your school would like to get involved, contact Yasmin to book an assembly. Find out how to get involved.
Young Ambassadors Programme
Our Young Ambassadors programme is a wonderful way for students to develop leadership skills while making a tangible difference. We are excited to welcome our latest sign-ups:
- Challney High School for Girls
- The Stockwood Park Academy
- Pioneer Learning Trust
- The Linden Academy School
- Icknield Primary School
If your school is interested, please reach out to us for more information.
Impact Story: Nikki’s Journey
Nikki contacted us in distress, facing homelessness within seven days. Fleeing domestic abuse and lacking a support network, she feared for her safety.
Our team provided immediate food support while making an emergency referral to Ability Housing. Nikki received an accommodation offer within 24 hours. She has since moved to Lewsey, where she feels safe and stable.
“Nikki’s case shows the power of early intervention. By integrating food support with housing advocacy, we prevented street homelessness and helped a survivor find safety and independence.”
Community & Supermarket Collections
We are constantly overwhelmed by the generosity of our local partners.
- Women of Inspiration Awards: Raised a fantastic £800.
- Boom Construction: Thank you for your golf putting competition fundraiser!
- MK Solicitors: A special thank you to the team at MK Solicitors, who came to visit our warehouse this month and kindly donated £500. We look forward to working with you!
Reflections from our AGM
We recently held our Annual General Meeting, a vital opportunity to connect with our stakeholders. We reflected on the significant challenges of the past year and shared our strategic vision for the coming year. Thank you to everyone who attended—your input ensures that Luton Foodbank remains a robust support system for our community.
Weekend Volunteer Support: Collection Volunteers
We always welcome volunteers to help us manage the stalls!
| Date | Location |
| May 9th & 30th | Asda |
| June 13th & 27th | Asda |
| July 11th | Asda |
| August 1st | Asda |
Get Involved
The visit by the university students was a powerful reminder of how much we rely on dedicated individuals. If their interest in our work inspires you, please consider joining our team!
Make a Donation
Help fund essential food parcels for individuals and families in crisis: Donate Here.
Volunteering
Join our amazing team of volunteers and make a real difference in your community: Sign up to Volunteer
Boost your Business while Giving Back to the Community
Partner with us to create lasting impact through sponsorship or corporate support: Learn More
Together, we can help ensure that no one in Luton goes hungry.
Thank You
Thank you for standing with us in the fight against food poverty. Every act of kindness brings us closer to a hunger-free Luton.