Support with the cost of living

Help with food

There is help available for households struggling to afford food, toiletries and other essentials. As well as foodbanks there are Community Pantries and organisations that can help provide warm winter clothes, footwear and even homeware and toys.

Community Pantries

A community pantry offers food to local people who are struggling to feed themselves or their families. Several of our libraries have a community pantry and some also have a community fridge.

Anyone can use a community pantry – there's no need for identification or forms. Items in the pantry are free but we ask all visitors to take no more than 3 items each day. This is to make sure there's enough for anyone in need.

thurrock.gov.uk/whats-in-your-library/community-food-pantries

Thurrock Foodbank

Thurrock Foodbank works with referral agencies to identify who is in need of support.
To find out more about the agencies that provide vouchers and how you can get help,
contact: thurrock.foodbank.org.uk

Necessities UK

A food and hygiene bank providing emergency food and toiletries to families in need. The
main hub is based at The Beehive Resource Centre, West Street, Grays.
Open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

necessitiesuk.org

Gateway People’s Centre

The centre offers children’s and adult’s clothing, footwear, toys, toiletries and homeware. They can be found at 2 High Street, Stanford-le-Hope.

Tel: 01375 460 164

Stronger Together Thurrock 

With the cost of living continuing to rise and the nights growing colder, it’s never been more important to know what is available in your community to help – no matter what your situation is.

Stronger Together Thurrock's Food Network has lots of help, advice and inspiration on offer:

Food Network Page – Stronger Together Thurrock