Luton Foodbank Newsletter – March 2026
Bringing you exciting events, community updates, and ways to get involved.
Contents
Luton Foodbank News: March Update
Welcome to our March newsletter! This month has been a whirlwind of community spirit, from incredible school collections to the launch of our latest Impact Report. As we move through the seasons of Ramadan and Lent, the generosity of Luton continues to shine at a time when local and national challenges remain significant.
March by the Numbers
Your support has allowed us to provide a vital lifeline to our community this month. Here is the impact we’ve made together:
- Total Food Parcels Issued: 1,320
- Adults Parcels: 992
- Child Parcels: 328
The Bigger Picture: Updates from Luton & Beyond
While our warehouse remains busy, there is significant news on the horizon regarding how poverty is being tackled at a policy level.
- Luton 2040 Vision: Luton Council has recently welcomed £40 million in “Pride in Place” funding, with £20 million each allocated to Central Luton and Marsh Farm over the next decade. This is a major step toward the goal of ensuring no one in our town lives in poverty by 2040.
- New Local Support: From April, a new Resilience Fund will be introduced by the Council to streamline crisis support for residents facing sudden financial shocks.
- National Strategy: Nationally, the government has published its updated Child Poverty Strategy, including a rise in the minimum wage to £12.71 and the removal of the two-child benefit limit. These changes are vital, as recent data shows 4 million children across the UK are still living in poverty.
Join Our Biggest Ever Annual Colour Run!
Nine years ago, we started the Luton Foodbank Colour Run with a simple mission: to bring our community together for a day of joy while supporting those in need. Since then, it has grown into one of the most anticipated dates in the Luton calendar- and 2026 is set to be our biggest and best year yet!
Whether you are a seasoned runner or just want to walk through a rainbow with your family, this year’s event will feature more music, more paint stations, and more community spirit than ever before. Wea re incredibly proud to announce THAT Luton Rising is returning as our Headline Sponsor to help us make this run truly unforgettable.
Don’t miss out help us make this a record-breaking year!
Luton Foodbank Impact Report 2025 Launched
This month, we officially released our Impact Report 2025. This document outlines the vital work we have done over the past year and the growing challenges we face. It serves as both a reflection on our achievements and a roadmap for how we will continue to support those in need across our town.
Ramadan & Lent: A Season of Giving
We are currently observing both Ramadan and Lent, and the support from our faith communities has been overwhelming.
- Masjid Ali Collection: A huge thank you to Masjid Ali for their incredible Ramadan drive, collecting a staggering 12,000 items to help stock our warehouse.
- Iftar for 300: We were honoured to support an Iftar for 300 asylum seekers and refugees, providing a space for community, dignity, and shared meals. Thank you to our partners Luton culture Trust, Near Neighbours, Next Generation Scheme, Empowering Education and Luton Council
- Lent Update: Our Lent appeals continue to gain momentum. Thank you to everyone giving up a luxury or donating throughout this period to help those who have no choice but to go without.
Schools & College in Action
Our local schools have been incredibly busy this month:
- Downside Primary School: A massive shout-out to the students and staff who collected 1,500 items for their Ramadan collection!
- St Matthew’s Warehouse Tour: We were delighted to host the St Matthew’s School Council. We are proud to be their chosen charity this year.
- Downside Primary School: We attended the Year 6 fair to speak with the next generation about the importance of volunteering at Luton Foodbank.
- Barnfield College: Students from Barnfield visited our warehouse for a tour to explore various volunteering opportunities within the foodbank.
Upcoming Events: Get Ready to Run!
Primary School Colour Run (Sponsored by Luton Rising)
The paint is ready! We already have several schools signed up for our vibrant Colour Run, including Beechwood Primary School, Crawley Green Primary School, and Warden Hill Primary School.
Sign up your school by emailing [email protected], or find more details, here.
Young Ambassadors Programme
Our Young Ambassadors programme is growing! We are excited to welcome students from:
- Challney High School for Girls, Linden Academy, Icknield Primary School, and Pioneer Learning Trust. The final Celebration Day will be held at Luton Town FC, kindly sponsored by London Luton Airport (LLA).
Sign up your school by emailing [email protected], or find more details, here.
London Marathon: Support Team LFB
Next month, two incredible runners will be taking on the London Marathon to raise funds for us. Please support Ian Jordan and Jordan Ball as they enter their final weeks of training:
Community & Partnerships
- Women’s Aid: We recently held an Essential Skills Workshop in partnership with Women’s Aid, helping to empower women with practical tools for the future.
- Every Child Smiles: This initiative continues to bring joy to local children facing hardship by providing gifts and cakes through their schools. Thanks to the incredible listeners and local businesses, we collected 43 delicious cakes for children across 14 local schools. While Inspire Eid couldn’t go ahead as planned, our commitment remained strong. A huge thank you to our local sponsors MK solicitors, One Stop, Venue Central, Delicious Desserts, Bushy Removals and CTP for making these celebrations possible with 100 gifts.
- One Eid: Generously provided 100 ride and meal tokens for local school children, kindly sponsored by Luton Rising, which we successfully distributed.
Spotlight: A Helping Hand – Rachael’s Story
Each month, we support hundreds of people who find themselves at a breaking point. Rachael’s journey shows how your donations provide more than just a meal—they provide a pathway to stability.
A single mother currently unemployed and relying on Universal Credit as her household’s primary source of income. Utility bill arrears, ongoing energy debt, and the challenge of managing a single-income household left her feeling overwhelmed, and isolated.
We supported Rachael with immediate food and fuel assistance, helped her to manage her finances through a series of “Managing Your Money” workshops, and provided specialist signposting to advisers at HEAT. Through tailored financial guidance and one-to-one support, she has gained the confidence to negotiate with her energy supplier, is proactively managing her budget, and feels less alone.
Following our intervention, HEAT contacted Rachael within one day to provide immediate assistance. A payment was made toward her energy debt, reducing her financial pressure and allowing her to focus on the future. She continues to attend our community workshops, building the knowledge needed to maintain long-term stability for her family.
“I was feeling so overwhelmed by the financial pressure and the debt situation, but having someone to talk to made such a difference. I finally feel heard and understood, and I have the confidence to manage my situation. Thank you so much for your help.”
Weekend Volunteer Support: Collection Volunteers
We need flexible volunteers to help with supermarket collections, which only require about 2 hours of your time on a weekend shift between 9am to 3pm!
Date | Location |
Saturday, 6th December | Asda |
Saturday, 20th December | Tesco |
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.

