Our History

Norwood & Brixton Foodbank opened in September 2011 with the support and encouragement of a number of local churches. It was part of the Trussell network of food banks operating in a similar way to franchises. We began in West Norwood with a small space in St Luke’s Church and quickly expanded our working area, then added another distribution centre in Brixton in March 2012, followed by a space in Streatham Hill.

The project saw demand steadily grow. As Covid hit we took the decision to move to a full delivery service operating out of our warehouse space in SW2. We had huge demands on our services but continued to maintain not just our food parcel support but help and advice over the phone. We also added more fresh fruit and vegetables to our parcels as tinned and ambient food in the first part of the Covid pandemic was difficult to source. At the end of March 2020 we started working in partnership with Waterloo Foodbank followed quickly by Vauxhall Foodbank, and referrals for all food banks came through a centralised system. By August 2020 Clapham Park Foodbank had also joined our partnership.

As restrictions lifted we began to open Foodbank hubs offering face to face support around benefits, completing forms, debt, housing and general help and advice. We now operate five hubs across Lambeth and Croydon where clients can pop in for a chat and a cuppa and feel welcomed.

In October 2022 we were asked if we could take over Croydon Foodbank, also part of Trussell, which we were able to do. Then in 2023 two more Trussell members, Clapham Park and Vauxhall Foodbanks,  were merged into Norwood & Brixton Foodbank.

We also made the decision to carry on deliveries, offering a more dignified and compassionate way to serve those in our community, as well as being present in local hubs where we can meet and serve people.

In April 2025 we joined with Waterloo Foodbank (part of Oasis Hub Waterloo) to become one food bank, Lambeth & Croydon Foodbank, together serving the communities of Lambeth and Croydon. At the same time, we moved the Foodbank warehouse and office base to Oasis St Martin’s Village in Tulse Hill, leaving our base of St Margaret’s Church in Barcombe Avenue, Streatham Hill, after over 10 years. The food banks in this area had seen huge growth both in terms of community need and operations over the previous five years and we recognised that it was the right time to consolidate operations and formally join together. 

As Lambeth & Croydon Foodbank, we have been able to utilise the expertise and infrastructure of Oasis Hub Waterloo to ensure local people get the help they need in the most efficient and effective way. 

We have strong links with  CAP (Christians Against Poverty) Brixton, which in 2020 expanded into new areas of work within the borough of Lambeth and we will continue our links, working with CAP, going forward.  Their work includes offering debt advice, job clubs and support for those struggling to manage their money. We also work closely with Brixton Advice Centre, whose team provide much needed advice in our hubs across Lambeth. 

We are supported by an incredible team of over 200 volunteers and in 2023 we were awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, acknowledging the incredible work they do.