Leytonstone food bank facing eviction searches for new site

One of the biggest food banks in east London is appealing for help to find new premises after being served an eviction notice.

Pl84U Al Suffa in Leytonstone, which supports about 500 people a week, has been ordered to vacate its home by 8 June.

The landlord of the building plans to refurbish the premises. Waltham Forest Council said it was doing all it could to try to find a suitable alternative for the food bank.

Saira Begum Mir, founder of Pl84U Al Suffa, said the facility was “the only way that people can survive”.

“They’ve still got to pay their electric and utility bills – they’re not going down, they’re just going high,” she said.

“The needy are being more deprived of things.

“It is very important that we can provide food on the table for themselves and their children.

“Food is the only option they can get free – where there’s a bit of support.”

The food bank, which has been in operation since 2020, is open on Monday, Wednesday and Sunday each week.

One visitor told BBC London: “Supermarket prices went very high, I don’t even use supermarkets anymore because they are just too expensive.

“My main supply is this food bank.”

He added: “I’m coming here because to be able to pay for the bills, I need to cut down on the food supplies. The food bank is the only option.”

Another food bank user said: “I am a full time carer to my husband and I’m disabled.

“It’s a great way to add on to the food that I get from the supermarket, because everything’s so expensive now.”