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Luton Foodbank Newsletter – September 2025
Bringing you exciting events, community updates, and ways to get involved.
Thank You for Your Support
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we were able to distribute 1,775 food parcels last month.
However, we’re also facing increased demand, as the number of parcels distributed represents a substantial 24% increase since last month.
public donations are absolutely vital at this time of year to help us meet the continuously growing demand.
Contents
Retirement
As a trustee for the past eight years, Chris has been an invaluable asset, dedicating countless hours to our charity. He’s retiring from his role, and we’re taking a moment to thank him for everything.
Chris’s contributions went far beyond his official duties. He was a familiar face in the warehouse, a reliable driver on our routes, and a key voice in our presentations. His expertise in senior management helped us improve our KPIs and strategic planning, ensuring we could help more people than ever before.
His unwavering support, hands-on help, and strategic insights have been a gift to our charity. He truly embodied the spirit of our mission, and we are incredibly grateful for his service.
Thank You, Chris, and we wish you a joyful and well-earned retirement!
Open Day
We were delighted to be joined by Bedfordshire High Sheriff Camilla King at our recent open day. She was incredibly impressed with our work and the dedication of our team. The event also drew several people interested in volunteering, and we were pleased to have Wilmot Dixon join us too. We’re excited to announce that we’ll be holding another open day in December, and we hope to see you there!
Harvest Assemblies
Harvest assemblies are in full flow! Our Community Engagement Coordinator, Yasmin Sultana has been busy visiting schools and leading assemblies to raise awareness of our work. The assemblies focus on the importance of tackling poverty, where the donations we receive go, and how parents can access our services. If you would like to book an assembly please email [email protected]
https://lutonfoodbank.org.uk/harvest-heroes
Colour Run
We are excited to announce the date for our annual Colour Run: Saturday, 4th July 2026, at Wardown Park. This year, we’re aiming for 1,000 participants! We are currently looking for a headline sponsor to help make this event a huge success. If you or your organisation are interested in sponsoring, please get in touch.
https://lutonfoodbank.org.uk/event/luton-foodbank-5k-charity-colour-run
Case Study: From Crisis to Control
After a family breakdown left a single mother caring for her disabled child without benefits, she turned to Luton Foodbank for help. She was initially given emergency food and hygiene packs, but her advisor knew she needed more than just a temporary fix.
Once her situation was stable the advisor introduced her to the Food Club, a service where members donate £5 for up to 15 items, offering a more sustainable way to get food and essentials. The advisor also connected her with other vital services, referring her to Utilita for help with gas and electricity bills and encouraging her to speak with her Work Coach to sort out her benefit issues.
Within two months, the mother was back on her feet, with her benefits restored and support from Utilita in place. But her journey wasn’t over. Continuing debt issues were a challenge, so her advisor referred her to Citizens Advice Bureau. With their expert guidance, she was able to create a payment plan and get her debt under control. She was also referred to Green Doctor to help with winter financial support.
Through this coordinated support, the client was able to stabilise her financial situation and get ongoing help for her household. As she said: ‘I am so grateful for all the support I’ve received. I never knew the Foodbank was about more than just food. The advice has made such a difference.’
Her story is a powerful example of how a holistic approach, which addresses a person’s entire situation, can create lasting stability and empower individuals to regain control of their lives.
Food Club
Our new Food Club initiative, which started this summer, is growing steadily. This service is specifically designed to support those experiencing in-work poverty. For a small donation of £5, members can choose up to 15 items for a food parcel. For more information, please get in touch!
Food Club
Essential Skills Course
We are also running an Essential Skills course every Wednesday from 1-3pm at High Town Methodist Church. For more details, get in touch. Participants will receive a certificate upon completion of the six-week programme.
Essential Skills
Runi Leaving
Our current advisor, Runi, is leaving us, and we wish her all the best as she moves on to pastures new. She has been an amazing asset to our team and will be greatly missed. We have already recruited her replacement and will be introducing our new advisor soon. If you need advice and support, get in touch
Get Advice
Golf Day
A huge thank you to Portsmouth for organising a fantastic Golf Day! The event raised an incredible £9,324.63, which will go directly towards helping us provide food parcels to families in need. W. Portsmouth & Co. Ltd. is a long-standing electrical contracting firm based in Luton. With a history spanning over 70 years, they specialise in a wide range of electrical services, including design, installation, and renewable energy systems, for projects across the South East and Home Counties.
Volunteers
We are currently looking for volunteers to help for just two hours on the weekend. The role involves speaking with customers and encouraging them to donate food items. If you’re interested in making a difference, please get in touch with us!
Volunteer
Winter Appeal
Inspire FM has launched a Winter Appeal in partnership with Crisis Aid to raise funds for our organisation. The funds will help families who are forced to choose between heating their homes and eating. Crisis Aid has generously offered to match all donations. Please consider donating generously via the link below.
https://www.justgiving.com/page/inspire-fm-winter-campaign-2025
Get Involved
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.