Brent Foodbank is highlighting growing demand for emergency food and support across the borough, as falling food donations and the approaching colder months are expected to place further pressure on the charity.
Brent Foodbank supported 13,240 people during 2025/26, including 4,559 children. This represents an increase of almost 10% compared with the previous year.
The charity provides a minimum of three days' nutritionally balanced food to people referred to its services, alongside essential items including toiletries, household cleaning products, sanitary products and nappies where stock allows. Fresh fruit and vegetables are also provided at every distribution session through partnerships with organisations including City Harvest and The Felix Project.
While the number of people needing support has increased, the proportion of food coming from donations has fallen significantly. In 2024/25, 66% of the food distributed by Brent Foodbank was donated. In 2025/26, this fell to 37%. This means the foodbank now has to purchase almost two-thirds of the food it distributes to ensure it can continue meeting demand. Maintaining sufficient stock is therefore a constant challenge.Β
Additionally,Β Brent Foodbank's work extends beyond providing food. The charity works with a range of local organisations to help connect people with wider support. Signposting volunteers provide information about services available in the community, while partner organisations also attend foodbank sessions to offer specialist advice.
Shona, Volunteer Coordinator at Brent Foodbank, said:
Our volunteers have created such a supportive community at Brent Foodbank. Times are tough, and weβre heading into tougher months as winter approaches. Iβm increasingly impressed by how much our volunteers care, and by how many people in the community are willing to dedicate their time and energy to supporting people across Brent. They work incredibly hard to keep the foodbank going and make sure that when someone is having a difficult time, they have somewhere to turn.
For someone facing financial hardship, a visit to the foodbank can therefore provide more than an emergency food parcel. It can be an opportunity to speak to someone, find out about available support or be connected with an organisation that can help address some of the wider challenges they are facing.
Preparing for the Colder Months
As the colder months approach, Brent Foodbank is preparing for further increases in demand. For households already struggling to make ends meet, colder weather can bring additional pressure as heating and other household costs rise alongside the ongoing cost of food.
With demand already high and donations making up a smaller proportion of the food distributed, maintaining sufficient food stocks through the colder months will be an ongoing challenge. Ensuring there is enough food available to meet this need will rely on continued support from the local community.
Brent Foodbank is encouraging local residents, community groups and businesses to get involved by donating food and essential items, volunteering, fundraising or helping to raise awareness of the support available.
The foodbank is also looking to build relationships with local businesses that would like to support its work, whether through food collections, fundraising, employee volunteering or longer-term partnerships.
To find out more about supporting Brent Foodbank, contact info@brent.foodbank.org.uk.
