Who we help
Finchley Foodbank provides emergency food for people - of any age - experiencing food poverty. People using our services must be residents of the London Borough of Barnet, but you do not need to have a voucher/referral from anywhere else.
What we do
We support people by providing emergency food for three days, including some essential toiletries, household items and - where needed - items for babies.
We are also able to tell people about services that provide further help and support.
Our Digital Champions offer support to get online using a phone or laptop to send emails and do benefits research. We may also be able to provide free sim cards to people who are unable to afford the internet.
We have a monthly newsletter with advice and news, which can be translated using Google Translate
How to register
1
You register in person, by attending one of our Tuesday or Saturday sessions. Please come before 1pm.
2
One of our volunteers will take you through the registration process. You must live in the London Borough of Barnet in order to register with us. Please bring an official letter or a bill or a bank statement with your name and address on it dated within the last three months.
3
If you have children under 18 years living with you, you will need to show us evidence of their date/s of birth and that they are living with you. We require evidence that shows the child/children’s name, date of birth and address, such as child benefit, child tax credit, child maintenance, NHS red book or NHS letter.
Note: Passports and birth certificates are not acceptable - they do not show the proof of address.
4
If you do not have the evidence with you on your first visit, you must bring it next time you visit us. If you do not provide evidence after three visits, then we will be unable to support you.
5
Once you are registered, you will be given an appointment day and time for future visits. You will be able to take food and household items on your first visit too.
6
If needed, you will be able to visit once a week for eight weeks. Then you will be able to visit every other week.
7
We ask that you only visit the foodbank when you are experiencing food poverty.
Our opening hours
Tuesdays 12pm to 1.30pm
Saturdays 12pm to 1.30pm
Registering with us
If you are visiting for the first time, please come before 1.00pm.
One of our volunteers will take you through the registration process.
You will be given an appointment time for future visits.
If needed, you can visit weekly for up to eight weeks and then you can visit once every two weeks.
We ask that you visit us only when you are experiencing food poverty.
Useful guidance for your first visit
Please bring your own bags for packing all your items. Only people visiting for the first time will be given bags.
We suggest you bring a shopping trolley or case on wheels, as carrying your items can be very heavy.
We ask that children, including those in buggies/prams and other adults wait for you in the car park.
If there is no one to look after your child(ren), you will be asked to complete a selection list and we will pack your bags and give them to you outside.