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.
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.
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
Friends of Essex & London Homeless (FOELH) - Here to Help
Friends of Essex & London Homeless (FOELH) support local residents who may be homeless, vulnerable, or struggling with the rising cost of living. Our aim is to offer practical help, dignity, and a safe place to turn when times are difficult.
Our community outreach teams operate weekly in Thurrock, providing hot meals, fresh fruit and vegetables, food bank bags, toiletries, clothing, and support with signposting to other services. All items are subject to availability, as we rely on community donations.
Who can access our support?
Anyone who needs help is welcome. We kindly ask that new visitors contact us to register before attending. This helps us understand your circumstances, assess your needs, and ensure we can provide the right level of short-term support.
Where you can find us
Grays Community Outreach - Outside The Baptist Church, Orsett Road (opposite the Car dealership), Fridays, 5:15pm to 6:30pm
What we provide
Depending on stock and donations, visitors may receive: Hot meals, Fresh fruit and vegetables, Food bank bags, Toiletries, Clothing, Homeless outreach bags. Kindness and conversation and signposting to relevant services. Our aim is to offer immediate, practical help while supporting individuals and families to access longer-term services where needed.
