Get Help
Foodbank vouchers
Our foodbank works using a referral system. Find out more about how we work.
We know that anyone can find themselves at crisis point for a number of different reasons. The quickest way to get a voucher for the food bank, and to access high quality advice is to call the National Help Through Hardship helpline.
HELP THROUGH HARDSHIP
If you are in financial crisis and live in England or Wales, please call our free national helpline, Help through Hardship, on 0808 2082138 for free (open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, closed on public holidays) to talk confidentially with a trained Citizens Advice adviser. They can help address your crises and provide support to maximise your income, help you navigate the benefits system, and identify any additional grants you could be entitled to. If needed, they’ll issue you with a voucher so you can get an emergency food parcel from your local food bank.
Translators and Relay UK
Please ask the adviser if you need a translator, this will be provided via Language Line. If you can’t hear or speak on the phone you can use Relay UK. Find out how to use Relay UK →
We also work with local agencies that operate here in Epping Forest, such as Citizens Advice, Community Money Association and VAEF. The local agency can also provide long term support if needed to help address some of the issues behind the reasons for your crisis.
If you cannot get through to a local agency, or Help Through Hardship, please contact us directly.
When you visit or call a referral agency they will take some basic details from you to complete the referral. This will help them to identify the cause of your crisis and offer practical guidance. It also means we are able to prepare suitable emergency food for the right number of people.
Please note that Epping Forest Foodbank will be closed on Bank holidays.
Please note we are only able to make deliveries to those living in the Epping Forest District and have mobility issues preventing them from attending the hub.
If you are a referral agency and would like to become a registered voucher holder for our foodbank, please contact us to find out more.