Foodbanks and social supermarkets
Shepway foodbank
Telephone: 07913 573403
Email: foodbank@rainbow-centre.org
For more information visit the Shepway foodbank
Supported by the Trussell Trust and run by the Rainbow Centre, the foodbank takes referrals from a variety of organisations to support people in crisis and facing food poverty.
Those in crisis can contact the ‘Help through Hardship’ team Freephone number (0808 208 2138), and an assessment will be made of the support that can be offered.
Food parcels are collected from the Rainbow Centre’s Mobile Food Services Van, which is the country’s first combined mobile foodbank and pantry. It visits Lydd, Cheriton, Hawkinge and Folkestone weekly. A static foodbank also operates in New Romney.
Food can be donated at many of the district’s supermarkets.
Pantry Service
This is a social supermarket service under the national ‘Your Local Pantry’ franchise. It enables foodbank users to progress easily into obtaining affordable, healthy food. It also stops people from reaching crisis point and needing the emergency service foodbank.
Hythe Pantry
Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Lower Blackhouse Hill, CT21 5LS.
Every Monday 9.15am to 2pm and Tuesday 9.15am to 1.30pm.
Volunteers offer tea and coffee. Also a warm clothes exchange.
Mobile Food Services and Hythe Pantry
Telephone: 07913 573403
Email: pantry@rainbow-centre.org
For more information visit Your local pantry
For those experiencing financial difficulties, hardship and food poverty. Applications to become members can be made online.
For £7 a week, members can buy £30 of food plus free items, including sanitary products, tinned food, bread, fresh fruit and vegetables.
Members are offered access to extra support from Money Matters, Citizens Advice and community wardens.
Folkestone Pantry
Sunflower House in Foord Road, Folkestone CT19 5AE.
Friday from 9.30am to 10.30am.
Membership is £16.50 per person a month and families £33 (paid by Direct Debit). Members receive 10 items (20 for families) or more a week – fruit and vegetables, meat, dairy and hygiene products.
The Folkestone Pantry is part of the FareShare Kent Community Pantry network.
Hythe Salvation Army foodbank
Salvation Army Hall, Hythe CT21 6EG
Open on Wednesday from 10am until noon. No referral is needed.
Family foodbanks
Email: familyfoodbank@children-families.org
For more information visit the Folkestone & Hythe Family foodbank
Vouchers for the foodbanks can be obtained by self-referral to a distribution centre listed below.
The centres are
- People Plus, 145-147 Sandgate Road, Folkestone, CT20 2DA
- New Romney Family Hub, Craythorne Lane, New Romney, TN28 8BL Tel 03000 420000
- Castle Hill Family Hub, Denmark Street, Folkestone, CT19 6EQ Tel 03000 420893
- Folkestone Family Hub, Dover Rd, Folkestone, CT20 1QF, Tel 03000 419727
- Cheriton Family Hub, Chart Rd, Folkestone CT19 4PN, Tel 03000 416444
and for college students only East Kent College EKC, Westcliff House, Westcliff Gardens, Folkestone CT20 1SZ. Tel: 01843 230876.
Turner Stone Centre, Folkestone Academy, Academy Lane, Folkestone, CT19 5FP
Family foodbank run at the school on Tuesday and Thursday.
‘Cooking on a Shoestring’ family workshop held on Tuesday, 4.30pm to 5.30pm.
Stella Maris Catholic School, Parkfield Road, Folkestone, CT19 5BY
The Sunshine Team Food Pantry opens during school hours for anyone who needs support. Run on a ‘give what you can, take what you need’ basis – dried goods only.
Community Fridge
Visit us on Facebook or Instagram
Wood Avenue Library, 17 Wood Avenue, Folkestone, CT19 6HS
Reduces food waste by receiving and offering donated food to anyone in the community.
Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.