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There are almost 15 free food banks for residents in Essex. Most of them are run by churches and charity organisations and use collections from the community to help low income individuals and families. Clients of the soup kitchens and food centres can also receive other assistance, such as signposting to job training or financial aid programmes.

The types of items provided to people from the foodbanks is extensive, but limited. Clients will usually receive items such as fruits, vegetables, produce, tinned meats, and maybe supplies for a baby. There is also assistance to meet the dietary requirements on the elderly in Essex. The food from the Essex County locations will usually be enough to last from three to seven days, but the person seeking help will also be referred to other assistance to help them get back on track with what they need for independent living.

When seeking assistance from a centre, applicants need to have a voucher or referral from a care worker, such as a doctors in Essex or a CAB centre. District councils, such as the one in Colchester, can also refer a resident to the sites.

Churches in Essex that provide free emergency food

Breakthru Church – The charity will have fruits, vegetables, meats, and well balanced meals. Volunteers may deliver items to the elderly too. The centre is part of the Trussell Trust, and will provide three days worth of food to people facing an emergency. Telephone number is 01277 229189.

The Christian Centre has a post of 165 Hanging Hill Lane, Hutton, Essex, CM13 2QH. Anyone in need can get help, including free food. They also are part of the fuel bank network in Essex. Free groceries, hot meals from a soup kitchen, and other aid is given to the poor. Children and people in food poverty get most of the assistance.

Colchester Baptist Church is one of the main centres in the area, and this location is also part of the nationwide Trussell Trust organisation. People facing poverty, that have a referral, can use this foodbank which is at Eld lane, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1LSl.

Residents of Rainham can drop in at the King of Kings Community Centre foodbank Monday thru Friday for a meal or emergency parcel. Volunteers will also offer referrals, or even counseling, to people with a voucher, and ring them at 01708 521728 for more information or stop by Mardyke Community Centre, South Street, Rainham, Essex, RM13 8PJ.

St Mary’s Church has joined the nationwide network as well in order to help the poor and people facing poverty. Most of the clients at this centre have stated they need help while they wait on their government benefits. They are at 201 High Road, Loughton in Essex. This charity will only help people with a local connection to Loughton that are on a low income or unemployed.

There is another not-for profit for people local to Southend on the Sea. They can drop in, if they have a voucher, to Southchurch foodbank, which is a Trussell Trust affiliated centre. The address is Friendship House, 484 Southchurch Road. Families can drop in at the centre for a three days work of emergency food, and the aid is for families or individuals on a low income with a referral from a care worker.

The Ascension Church Hall can provide assistance to families in Essex County. Many of the clients have had a reduction in benefits or their income, and they can get free groceries, fruits, meats, soups, mile, tea, and more from the location. Collier Row Road, Collier Row, Romford, RM5 2BA, phone 01708 745626.

Thurrock Christian Fellowship – Volunteers collect food from restaurants, supermarkets, and donations from the community. They then provide a parcel to the needy, if they have a referral or voucher. The volunteers will also refer eligible families on a low income to other assistance, such as schemes for white goods, clothing, and Christmas help. The location is 2-4 Chase Road Corringham Essex, SS17 7QH, or call 07928 879068.

As noted below, there is help at Christmas, including food, toys, and more from the Fellowship. However other families may need additional support as well. There are other schemes out there, and read more on how to get free Christmas meals.

Additional Essex locations for meals and groceries

Basildon area food bank is at Leisure Centre 2 Floor, Room 3 Northlands Pavements Pitsea. Clients with a voucher will receive a parcel from the location that will be well balanced with food and what is needed for up to three days.

A Community Resource Centre is also located in Basildon, and the location provides many services for families on a low income and the elderly, among others. A cafe serves free hot meals to people with a referral from a faith based group, and other aid includes food parcels, clothing, and toiletries. Learn more on Basildon Community Resource services.

Chelmsford Free Food Bank is at Saxon House, 27 Duke St, Chelmsford CM1 1HT. It is part of Trussell Trust. Ring 07512 574542. The charity gives out free groceries, tinned meat, milk, bread, jam, biscuits, and more. All claimants of the food bank need to have a voucher, which a social worker or council can provide.

Christ Church collects food from the area and provided to the needy and people on a low income. The foodbank is at London Road, Braintree is Essex. Volunteers collect items from the public and provide the items regardless of race or religion.

The local government can help too. Call the Essex Council, as they can provide free vouchers as well as pre-paid card for buying food at a supermarket from the Essential Living Fund Grant Scheme. This will help with other household items too, even including furniture, and the council offers emergency advice and referrals. Central government funds have been provided to the county for ELF, and learn more on what is provided from the Essex Living Fund Grant Scheme.

First Stop Centre is a charity that supports the vulnerable. They can offer vouchers to food banks, and also help residents apply for other benefits. The advice from the organisation is free, and clients may be served a meal or snack during some of the sessions as well. Read help from First Stop Centre.

Harlow foodbank is for families with a local connection. The site will also serve a free hot meal to clients. The site is at the Rainbow Centre, 2 Wych Elm, Harlow. For information on hours, call 01279 724515.

A day center from HARP provides resources to people in poverty. This will include a free hot meal as well as information on benefits and other support. The organisation also can refer people to food banks and other charity groups in Essex if the family is facing a crisis. Find more details on day centre programmes from HARP.

House Of Faith Connections is the Dagenham foodbank. Address is 104 New Road. The hours are limited, and people should call 020 8595 0122 for days that food is available from the drop off site.

Salvation Army operates the Clacton foodbank. Call the not-for profit at 01255 431760. A referral is needed, but the site has free food to families on a low income in Essex, and many have had a reduction in their benefits. Signposting is also provided by volunteers to housing and other charity schemes in Essex County. The address is 103 Old Road Clacton-on-Sea Essex, CO15 1HN.

The Streets2Homes day centre can provide a hot meal or drink. The assistance is offered five days per week to residents seeking support. Referrals to Essex food banks and other support is offered too, and find help from Streets2Homes.

The Thurrock area foodbank is located at the Christian Fellowship Church. The charity may have fruits, soups, clothing, and more. The organization will help the homeless and low income, if they have a referral and are threatened with an emergency. The location also partners with the Thurrock council and local charities such as the Salvation Army to provide food to the most needs. Address – 2-4 Chase Road, Corringham, Essex, SS17 7QH, telephone 07928 879068.

Uttlesford Exceptional Hardship Fund is for people from the local community. This scheme was created to replace some of the government welfare programmes, and it will provide vouchers for food parcels to the low income that are facing an exception hardship. The council will assist families that are faced with hunger and there are other items provided from EHF as well, such as clothing, nappies, and more. So there are many types of aid provided by the Uttlesford Hardship Fund.