FareShare and Neighbourly are organisations that take food that would otherwise go to waste and give it to local communities.
Food Friends connects volunteers who are happy to deliver extra portions of their home cooked food to a neighbour.
Canterbury
Canterbury Umbrella Centre run a social health cafe every week, offering hot meals for £5 and a weekly food packet for a small donation.
The Hub Cafe at Canterbury Baptist Church has a 'pay what you can' cafe. They also have a community fridge for people that need food parcels.
All Saints Church has a community larder every Friday from 10am to 12pm.
Northgate Community Food Larder offers emergency food parcels, a warm space and hot soup every Tuesday, 10am to 1pm.
The Salvation Army annexe drop-in offers emergency food parcels, a warm space, hot drinks and toast every Tuesday and Friday, 10am to 2pm.
Maya’s Community Support Centre runs a fresh food bank at 49 Northgate every Sunday from 6pm.
The University of Kent Campus Pantry offers short term support to students who are in need of extra food. The service is open Monday to Wednesday and Friday, 12pm to 4pm at the Mandela Student Support Centre.
The Canterbury & District Early Years Project provides a family food bank voucher through their work on the Poet’s Estate. You can contact them Monday to Thursday from 8am to 3pm on 01227 786 420.
Lilly’s Social Kitchen has a pay it forward scheme available in their café daily.
Herne Bay
Maya’s Community Support Centre runs a dry food bank every Monday and Thursday, 2pm to 3pm, and a fresh food bank every day from 9pm.
Christ Church runs a food larder every Tuesday from 10am to 12pm.
The Salvation Army runs a drop-in and pasta lunch every Tuesday from 10am to 2pm, a Cancer Cafe from 10am to 12:30pm every Wednesday, and a drop-in for free toast and lunch every Thursday, 10am to 2pm.
Whitstable
Riverside Cafe and Pantry Project, open Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm, has a pay-it-forward scheme available in their cafe. The Riverside Pantry Project distributes food and essential items to those in need in the community.
The Haven Project at St. John’s Church supports people living in and around Whitstable, mainly rough sleepers, by offering them food, clothing, laundry and shower facilities on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons from 2pm to 4pm.
Whitstable Umbrella Centre, open Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm has a pay it forward scheme available in their café daily.
Revival Food and Mood, open 10am to 4pm every day except Wednesday, has a pay it forward scheme available in their café.
Churches Together distributes Fareshare collections across Whitstable. You can pick up food on Monday and Thursday at Seasalter Christian Centre, Tuesday and Friday at the St Johns Centre in Swalecliffe and Wednesday and Sunday at St Alphege. Food is distributed on a first come first serve basis from 9am.
Chartham
Chartham Village Pantry provide food parcels and toiletries for people who are struggling financially. They are available to collect on Tuesday mornings, but you will need to request yours in advance on their website.