Foodbanks and Food Hubs

If you are struggling to make ends meet, there are places in South Cambs where you can collect food and essentials for free to keep you going for a few days. Opening times vary, so check websites (links below) before you visit.

Foodbanks that require a referral voucher:

Doctors, social workers, health visitors and other professionals can assess your financial circumstances and give you a voucher for an emergency food parcel that is intended to last you and your family for around three days.

In South Cambs, Cambridge City Foodbank has distribution centres in Northstowe and Cambourne.

Find out how to apply for a food voucher and opening times here.

In South Cambs, Ely Foodbank has a distribution centre at Waterbeach Baptist Church and there is also a distribution centre at Cottenham Baptist Church.

Find out how to apply for a food voucher and opening times here.

Food Projects that are self-referral (you can just turn up & don’t need a voucher):

The following food projects and food hubs don’t require a referral from a professional, but the food that is available may vary. Click on the links (in bold and underlined) for more information.

Bar Hill Food Hub – open on Mondays 9am-12 noon.

Bassingbourn Care’n’Share Foodbank – open Monday 2pm to 4:30pm, Tuesday 2pm to 4:30pm and 6pm to 8pm, and Saturday 10am to 12pm

Cambourne Community Food Project – open Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday from 11am-1pm at Cambourne Community Hub on the High Street. Tea, coffee, snacks and a warm breakfast is also available for free every day at the Warm Hub which is in Cambourne Church 9.30am – 1pm.

Duxford Mobile Food Hub – visiting once a week with low/no cost food and essentials.

Fowlmere Mobile Food Hub – visiting once a week with low/no cost food and essentials.

Fulbourn Mobile Food Hub – visiting once a week with low/no cost food and essentials.

Gamlingay Community Fridge & NeedHub  is a joint project between Gamlingay Baptist Church and St Mary’s Church. The Community Fridge aims to reduce food waste by taking food that would be thrown away by local shops and offering it for free. The Fridge is open every Monday-Friday, from 10-12. The Gamlingay NeedHub supports households that are struggling for whatever reason, and a food parcel can be delivered up to once a week, at no cost. Get in touch and volunteers at the NeedHub will offer free and confidential help until you no longer need it.

Harston Community Food Hub – set up by the village’s Baptist Church to support low income local families.

Reach Community Projects Foodbank, Haverhill – if you are in need of food, there’s more information here.

Linton Mobile Food Hub – visiting once a week with low/no cost food and essentials.

Melbourn MACS Foodbank – provides non-perishable food and basic essentials on Mondays 12 noon to 2pm and s  Thursdays 10am -12 noon.

Meldreth Community Foodbank – open on Tuesdays between 9am and 12 noon.

Northstowe Mobile Food Hub – visiting once a week with low/no cost food and essentials (from 24 Aug 2024).

Orchard Park Mobile Food Hub – visiting once a week with low/no cost food and essentials.

Papworth Mobile Food Hub – visiting once a week with low/no cost food and essentials.

Royston Evangelical Church Foodbank – open Wednesdays and Saturdays 12 noon to 2pm.

Sawston – John Huntingdon’s Charity – providing bags of food for people in need in Sawston and the surrounding villages.

Willingham Mobile Food Hub – visiting once a week with low/no cost food and essentials.

There’s more information on the South Cambridgeshire District Council website too.

Feeding pets:

Local organisation, Boomerang, offers a pet foodbank if you are struggling to feed your pet. Boomerang will help anyone who genuinely needs assistance – take a look at the area they cover here. If you can’t get to a pet food collection point (contact Boomerang for details), then a volunteer can deliver pet food to you. Boomerang can also be found on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Boomerangspetfoodbank

Other ways to get help:

• If you do not live near a foodbank but are in need of emergency food and cannot travel, please email [email protected].
• If you can travel beyond South Cambs, details of Foodbanks and Food Hubs in and around Cambridge City can be found here.
• If you have children and think they might be eligible for free school meals, information about how to apply can be found here. In school holidays, there is also the Cambridgeshire Holiday Activities and Food Programme – find out more here.
• Cambridge Sustainable Food is a useful source of support and information.
• The British Red Cross has a support line for anyone needing urgent access to food or medication.
• Some foodbanks and food projects may be able to deliver a food parcel to you if you cannot get out and about – contact them directly to discuss your needs.

If you would like to donate food:

You can find out what food and provisions are most needed by foodbanks and where you can drop off items here, or you can contact your local food hub/project for details.