Using Purley Food Hub
Purley Food Hub provides free emergency food parcels for local people who, for whatever reason, are unable to buy enough food for their basic needs.
Food crisis is often just the tip of the iceberg for people going through hard times, so we also offer a client support service to give help and guidance on issues such as housing, employment and health.
Step 1: Get a referral
To receive a food parcel, you need to be referred to us by one of our approved ticket partners as we don’t offer a drop-in service.
These ticket partners are agencies and professionals across Croydon borough who work closely with families and individuals in crisis. They include Croydon Council, GP surgeries, churches, schools, children’s centres, hostels and refuges, and a range of other voluntary and statutory organisations including:
- Purley Cross Centre – open Tuesdays 10am-4pm & Wednesdays 12noon-4pm or phone 020 8668 4189 / email info@purleycrosscentre.org.
- Croydon Council’s Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) Team – phone 020 8760 5719 or email dhp2@croydon.gov.uk.
- Citizens Advice Croydon – phone 0808 278 7960 (freephone) Monday-Friday 9am-5pm or visit their website at www.citizensadvicecroydon.org/get-advice.
Before issuing a referral, a ticket partner will ask you about the number of adults and children in your household, whether any young children need nappies, wipes or baby food, and if there are any special dietary needs. They will also note information about toiletries and household items you may need.
We are open on Wednesday mornings and on the Tuesday evening we will give you a half-hour time slot to collect your items the following morning from Purley United Reformed Church (see below). If someone is collecting on your behalf, you will be asked to give their name.
If you are unsure or need more information about contacting a ticket partner, please email us at purleyfoodhub@gmail.com. If you are an agency or professional working with people in crisis living in any of the CR2, CR5, CR8 or CR0 4 postcodes, and wish to become a ticket partner with us, please also contact us at purleyfoodhub@gmail.com.
To receive a food parcel, you need to be referred to us by one of our approved ticket partners as we don’t offer a drop-in service.
These ticket partners are agencies and professionals across Croydon borough who work closely with families and individuals in crisis. They include Croydon Council, GP surgeries, churches, schools, children’s centres, hostels and refuges, and a range of other voluntary and statutory organisations including:
- Purley Cross Centre – open Tuesdays 10am-4pm & Wednesdays 12noon-4pm or phone 020 8668 4189 / email info@purleycrosscentre.org.
- Croydon Council’s Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) Team – phone 020 8760 5719 or email dhp2@croydon.gov.uk.
- Citizens Advice Croydon – phone 0808 278 7960 (freephone) Monday-Friday 9am-5pm or visit their website at www.citizensadvicecroydon.org/get-advice.
Before issuing a referral, a ticket partner will ask you about the number of adults and children in your household, whether any young children need nappies, wipes or baby food, and if there are any special dietary needs. They will also note information about toiletries and household items you may need.
We are open on Wednesday mornings and on the Tuesday evening we will give you a half-hour time slot to collect your items the following morning from Purley United Reformed Church (see below). If someone is collecting on your behalf, you will be asked to give their name.
If you are unsure or need more information about contacting a ticket partner, please email us at purleyfoodhub@gmail.com.
If you are an agency or professional working with people in crisis living in any of the CR2, CR5, CR8 or CR0 4 postcodes, and wish to become a ticket partner with us, please also contact us at purleyfoodhub@gmail.com.
Step 2: We prepare your food parcels
We provide a balanced diet of non-perishable food for you to prepare meals at home. Food parcels contain enough for at least three meals a day for three days for everyone in the household.
We try to accommodate special dietary needs and preferences, and also provide toiletries like shampoo, soap and sanitary products, household essentials like washing powder, washing-up liquid and toilet rolls, plus pet food and a tin opener if needed.
We do not normally provide perishable items. If we have a donation of fruit and vegetables or bakery items on collection day we will include them in that day’s parcels but we do not have the chillers or freezers to keep food fresh.
Step 3: Collect your items from Purley URC
Above: The main entrance to Purley URC.
Below: The Food Hub pick-up point is at the far end of the building.
Purley United Reformed Church is in Brighton Road in Purley town centre, between the Pear Tree pub and Purley Hospital. Go along the church drive to your left (same side as the pub) to the open white double doors at the end of the building on your right.
Remember to bring strong shopping bags or a shopping trolley, as an average family will receive enough items to fill at least six carrier bags.
You can make up to three weekly collections. Included with your final food parcel will be a letter with details of your nearest Food Stop (see below) where you can buy around £20 worth of fresh, chilled/frozen and other food for a small payment.
The letter has the Food Stop’s phone number/email address and the best way to get there by bus. It also offers help to make the switch by meeting the initial cost of using the Food Stop and providing pre-paid return bus tickets if required.
Other resources
PURLEY FOOD STOP is open on Fridays 9am-12noon at Old Lodge Lane Baptist Church, Reedham Park Avenue, Purley CR8 4BQ (payment £3.50). Phone 020 8668 6260 / email office@ollbc.org.uk. Clothing and general client support services also available. No referral required.
For people in Monks Hill, Selsdon and Forestdale, South Croydon, ST FRANCIS FOOD STOP is open on Thursdays 9.15am-12.45pm at St Francis Church, Tedder Road, Monks Hill, Selsdon CR2 8AH (payment £4). To book a timed visit, phone 020 8657 7864 or email stfrancisselsdon@gmail.com.
PURLEY MASJID FOOD BANK is open Wednesdays 10-11.30am at the old Council Offices building next to Purley Fire Station at 130 Brighton Road, CR8 4EX. Phone 07982 446062. No referral required.
For people in New Addington, THE VINE FOODBANK is open Wednesdays and Saturdays 10am-12noon between 11 & 13 Salcot Crescent, CR0 0JJ. A referral is required from Citizens Advice or other local organisation. Email thevinefoodbank@gmail.com.
Two mobile phone food sharing/saving apps can provide free or discounted food: OLIO at olioex.com and TOO GOOD TO GO at toogoodtogo.co.uk.
CROYDON COUNCIL has a dedicated section on its website about how to get help with the rising cost of living at www.croydon.gov.uk/get-help-rising-cost-living, including details of the Household Support Fund grant at www.croydon.gov.uk/hsf.
MONEY WELLNESS offers free advice on dealing with debt and money worries, and also helps with other issues including benefits assessment and budgeting guidance. Phone 0800 011 4231 or visit www.moneywellness.com.
Our leaflet WORRYING ABOUT MONEY? also has information about support services in Croydon. Click here to view or download a copy (pdf).
Information about DROP-IN CENTRES AND FOOD FOR PEOPLE IN NEED (including Nightwatch open Monday-Sunday from 9.30pm all year round in central Croydon) is at https://www.croydon.gov.uk/housing/housing-support/homelessness/support-rough-sleepers/drop-centres.