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Luton Foodbank Newsletter – May 2025
Bringing you exciting events, community updates, and ways to get involved.
Thanks to your generosity, we provided 1,139 parcels in April, with each parcel containing three days’ worth of food. This ensured that families in need continued to receive vital support.
Once again in April, we provided support to families and individuals from all 20 wards across Luton, expanding our reach to assist even more people in need.
Your kindness truly makes a difference! April saw an increase in donations, totalling to 15,002 items. Among these, Downside Primary School made a significant contribution of 3,000 items as part of their Ramadan food drive.
Every contribution helps us fight food poverty—thank you for being part of this vital mission!
Contents
Case Study
Dependent on seasonal work: Emmanuel’s story
I moved to the UK for a better future, but my visa restrictions left me unable to access public funds.When my seasonal work ended, I had no income and limited options.Luton Foodbank stepped in to provide a food parcel. I also received guidance from Luton Foodbank’s advisor, who helped me to access emergency assistance through local charities.
Colour Run 2025
The much-loved Luton Foodbank 5K Charity Colour Run returns on Saturday 5 July at Wardown Park.
This year’s event is even bigger and brighter – now featuring bubble stations to add extra fun for children and families.
Sponsored by VolkerHighways, it’s a fantastic, family-friendly day out for everyone.
Register by 4pm on Friday 13th June to receive a free pair of sunglasses, an official Colour Run t-shirt, and a participation medal. Whether you’re running, walking, or cheering from the sidelines, your involvement helps support Luton Foodbank’s vital work.
Book your place:
Get tickets
Event info
Schools can email team entries to: [email protected]
Primary Schools Colour Run
2 - 13 June
The Primary Schools Colour Run, sponsored by Luton Rising, is returning this June. Participating schools will receive a full event pack, and children can get sponsored to complete a colour run on their school grounds.
Prizes include stickers, wristbands, yo-yos, certificates, and trophies for the top fundraising children and the highest fundraising school.
More details
Email enquiries to: [email protected]
Sponsored by
Essential Skills Course
Free to join
Our Essential Skills workshop is free and flexible, with a certificate awarded upon completion. Learn at your own pace and gain practical life and community skills.
A recent participant told us:
“I didn’t realise how much I could learn from a free course. It’s really helped boost my confidence and I’ve even used some of the tips at work.”
Food Club
Making food shopping more affordable
The Food Club, sponsored by Feeding Britain, is in a six-week pilot, and helps families who receive working tax credit but are ineligible for free school meals to access affordable food.
One member told us: “The Food Club has taken some pressure off my weekly shopping. It makes a big difference when you’re trying to stretch every pound.”
Become a Young Ambassador
Our Young Ambassadors programme empowers young people to help raise awareness about food poverty and take action within their community.
This year’s celebration event will be hosted again at Luton Town Football Club.
Pilot: Fresh Fruit & Veg plus Meat Vouchers
We’ve launched a pilot programme including fresh vegetables and meat vouchers with our food parcels.
The response has been positive, with many clients say they appreciate the opportunity to choose between fresh and canned options.
They also report that they enjoy having access to more nutritious ingredients.
We’ll continue to review feedback to improve our services.
Jamie Pardon's Marathon for Luton Foodbank
A huge thank you to Jamie Pardon, who completed a marathon and raised £1,782 for Luton Foodbank.
Jamie shared, “Running 26.2 miles was tough, but knowing it was for Luton Foodbank kept me going. Every donation made the effort worth while.”
We’re incredibly grateful for Jamie’s support and commitment. There’s still time to contribute to Jamie’s fundraising.
Luton Town Football Club Charity Match
Utilita Support
Thanks to Luton Town FC and Utilita Energy for organising a charity match and collecting food donations on our behalf.
This support makes a real difference and shows the power of community partnerships.
Women of Inspiration Awards
We were delighted to attend the Women of Inspiration Awards. Led by Empowering Education, it’s a celebration of women who are making a real difference.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of attendees, we raised over £1000 to support our food parcels. We left feeling inspired by the dedication and passion of the remarkable women recognised at the event.
Team members invited to King's Garden Party
In recognition of their dedication to community service, Elizabeth Stringer (Chair) and Salma Khan (Director of Operations) were invited to the King’s Garden Party on 7 May — a prestigious event held at Buckingham Palace to honour individuals who have made exceptional contributions to society.
Rotary Club of Luton
We were delighted to attend a lunch with the President and members of the Rotary Club of Luton.
We were presented with a cheque to support our food-purchasing efforts. Rotary’s continual support over the years, including weekly food donations, has been invaluable to us.
Luton Foodbank Advisor
Runi is our new advisor, funded by the Utilita-Auriga Project.
Since joining Auriga’s One Call That’s All project in February, I’ve had the opportunity to support Luton Foodbank’s vital mission to reduce food and fuel poverty in our community. – Azizun Runi
In the first quarter alone, Runi has contacted 491 clients across all distribution centres, ensuring that no one is left behind. Of those clients, 122 received extended support, ranging from help with energy bills to tailored advice on managing household finances.
Our advisor is at foodbank centres five days a week, offering face-to-face guidance, and building trust with those in need.
This regular engagement not only helps us address immediate challenges, but also allows us to track emerging patterns and adapt our approach to ensure lasting impact.
Support our Work
Donating money
Every donation, no matter the size, helps us continue our fight against hunger in Luton. If you’d like to contribute, you can make a donation here.
Thank you for your ongoing support. Together, we can ensure no one in Luton goes hungry.
Volunteering
We usually need more volunteers. If you’d like to help our community, and meet new people, find out more by emailing [email protected] or visiting our Volunteering page.
A volunteer's story
I’ve volunteered at the Foodbank for almost six years, now.
Each week, I do two sessions at the warehouse, and one at distribution. This adds up to around seven hours, so it’s hardly time-consuming.
I also do other voluntary work, and just enjoy helping people. Having a natter and a few laughs with colleagues makes for a happy “workplace” too!
Kevin Merridew
Donate or Volunteer at a Supermarket Collection
If you’re in one of these supermarkets on the dates shown, please pop an extra item or two in your trolley for our collection. See our food list, or get the mobile app, to keep up to date with our needs.
We’re looking for volunteers, too
If you can give a few hours of your time, we’d love to hear from you.
Learn more and sign up by emailing [email protected] or visiting our Volunteering page.
Do you work with families in need?
If you work with families or individuals in need, contact us about becoming a referral partner. Email [email protected] or call 01582 725838.
Holiday Activities and Food
We’ve partnered with Active Luton to support families in need with Energise Camps this summer. If you know families that do not qualify and are in need of support please contact us at [email protected].
Boost your Business while Giving Back to the Community
Looking to elevate your brand visibility and make a meaningful impact?
Explore our range of exclusive sponsorship packages designed to benefit both your business and the community.
By becoming a sponsor, your business will enjoy premium exposure through prominent placements on our homepage and your logo featured in our digital newsletter, reaching a wide audience.
Together, we can work towards ensuring that no one in our town goes hungry.
How to join the programme
Find out how to become a sponsor here.
Volunteer with us
We often need more volunteers, so it doesn’t matter whether you can spare a couple of days a week or just a couple of hours.
Learn how to volunteer here.
Support Luton Foodbank: Make a Difference Today
Thank you for your continued support in the fight against food poverty. Together, we can make a difference!