Hackney Foodbank has received more than 1,000 kg of food donations in a Halloween charity trail.
The initiative aims to feed people facing extreme hardship due to the cost-of-living crisis.
Organised by shop local discount card, The Local Buyers Club, the ‘Trick or Eat’ initiative has been raising food donations for the last five years and has donated more than 10 tonnes overall to Hackney Foodbank.
‘Trick or Eat’ founder Jenna Fansa, also the Communications Manager at Hackney Foodbank, said: “While demand for Hackney Foodbank is up by more than 70%, donations have reduced over the years.
“This is because regular donors are severely impacted by the cost-of-living crisis and are unable to make donations as compared to previous years.”
Ms Fansa also pointed out that the food bank feeds more than 650 people a week.
It is constantly asking for long-life milk among other products which include pasta sauce, porridge and cereal.
She says: “These initiatives can go a long way in helping the food bank’s goal of eradicating hunger especially with the challenging winter ahead.”
‘Trick or Eat’ was supported by Stoke Newington Business Association which assisted in spreading the word with other traders for donations.
It was also sponsored by estate agents ‘Location Location’ which put up signs to urge more residents to contribute to the cause.
Residents volunteer to place collection boxes outside their houses for donations. They are picked up by volunteers of the club and sent to the Hackney Foodbank, that has centres across six locations in Hackney.
Ms Fansa added: “Stoke Newington is an area that is always itching to donate and initiatives like these encourage them to give more.”
