Help feed 250 Vulnerable people in South London

Dear supporters,

Since you last heard from us, our Community Canteens have continued to serve as vibrant hubs of food, friendship, and community in Tooting, Clapham, and Elephant & Castle. With your generous support, we’ve been able to offer thousands of nutritious meals, combat food insecurity, and provide a much-needed space for people to connect, learn, and grow together.

Additionally, we recently conducted our annual survey in collaboration with London Metropolitan University, which has provided insightful feedback on how our Canteens continue to enrich lives, reduce social isolation, and foster health and wellbeing.

Canteen Highlights: Meals, Community, and Impact

• 3636 meals served across our three locations

• 1.2 tonnes of surplus food rescued

• 49 Canteen sessions

• 1,212 guests welcomed into our Canteens

Survey Insights: How the Canteens are Making a Difference

In partnership with London Metropolitan University, we conducted our annual survey to measure the social impact of our Canteens. The results have been truly inspiring:

• 89% of guests reported making new friends at our Canteens, highlighting the social connection fostered by shared meals

• 87% of guests aged 65 and above reported feeling less lonely, demonstrating the importance of our Canteens in combating social isolation

• 76% of guests said they now eat more fruits and vegetables as a result of attending

• 60% of participants learned something new about healthy eating, empowering them with valuable knowledge

• 78% of guests now cook from fresh ingredients at least once a week, showing a positive shift towards healthier eating habits

These results affirm the crucial role our Canteens play in reducing isolation, promoting nutrition, and teaching new skills.

Clapham Canteen: A BBC Feature and Growing Impact

The Clapham Canteen, opened in early 2023, has quickly become a cornerstone of our efforts to expand our reach. It was recently highlighted on BBC's Comic Relief, which helped spotlight the importance of our work. Local support has been overwhelming, with many new community members joining us for meals, activities, and to share experiences.

The Canteens continue to serve as safe spaces where guests can relax, connect, and discuss important local issues amongst friends and neighbours.

Looking Ahead: A Brighter Future for Our Canteens

As we move forward, we’re excited to continue expanding the impact of our Community Canteens. Our work in all three locations has been an incredible success, and we will continue to do what we do best, bringing good food and connection to our people. 

The future is bright, and with your support, we can do even more to provide food, friendship, and a sense of belonging to our community.

Your Support Makes a Difference

We are incredibly grateful for the support of our donors, volunteers, and partners, including London Metropolitan University, whose collaboration on the annual survey has given us invaluable insight into the impact of our work. Without your contributions, we wouldn’t be able to continue providing healthy meals, reducing food waste, and creating a space where everyone feels welcome.

If you’d like to help us keep this momentum going, please consider donating today or sharing our work with others. Your continued support is essential to ensuring we can meet the growing demand for our services.

Thank you for being a part of this vital work and helping us enrich the lives of thousands of people in South London.

With gratitude,
The Be Enriched Team