New Community Centre

The new 3Food4U Community Centre at 47 Highbridge Street Waltham Abbey EN9 1BD is available to frontline agencies, charities, and community groups for FREE to deliver health, wellbeing and educational activities/sessions for free or subsidised to the public. It has a large open space with folding tables/chairs for 50 people, small kitchen and disabled access toilet.

What's On

Our community surplus hubs offering free food, home essentials and clothes for anyone in need without an assessment or referral

We’re very pleased to announce the launch of 3SocialMemoryCafe4U a new FREE monthly community service open to anyone who would like to socialise.

We’re offering FREE NHS Health Checks, Blood Pressure and BMI checks to people who aren’t eligible for an NHS Health Check.

We support people in the community and at work with a range of health, wellbeing and day-to-day needs.

Job Club. We can support with: CVs, Application Forms, Interview Preparation, Basic Computer Skills and more.

FREE online training courses to build confidence and ability to work with numbers in everyday practical situations.


Over 2000 families
(4500 individuals)
supported per week


279,000 meals provided in 2023


18,910 people fed in 2023


2,350 tonnes of surplus food saved in 2023


56% increase
on the previous year

Treating people humanely with dignity and respect

Donate Now

iNews National press - read the article

Read about Michelle's experience

See what happened when Heart/LBC Radio came to see us!

Our community surplus hubs offering free food, home essentials and clothes for anyone in need without an assessment or referral

3,251

3Food4U

Multi-award winning charity
providing free food, home essentials and clothing to anyone in need, without the requirement for assessment or referral. Committed to treating everyone with dignity & respect.
To donate
https://localgiving.org/charity/3food4u

3Food4U

4 days ago

Exciting news for our community! 🎉The official opening of the new 3Food4U Community Hub in Epping marks a major step forward in supporting local families and individuals facing hardship. With food assistance, community programs, and a welcoming space for connection, the hub is set to make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.Read the full story below and see how this community-driven initiative is creating hope, support, and opportunity for local residents. 💚 #3Food4U #CommunitySupport #Epping #MakingADifference #StrongerTogetherEpping for EveryoneEpping at the MoviesEpping Forest GuardianEpping Forest District CouncilDr Neil Hudson ... See MoreSee Less

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3Food4U

6 days ago

☀️🎉 BOOKINGS NOW OPEN FOR OUR FREE SUMMER HOLIDAY CLUBS! 🎉☀️Looking for something fun, active and engaging for your children this summer?3Food4U is delighted to be delivering 4 weeks of FREE Summer Holiday Clubs as part of the Essex Activate Holiday Activities & Food Programme!📅 Tuesday–Friday, 28th July – 21st August 🍽️ Free nutritious meal every day ⚽ Sports & physical activities 🎨 Arts, crafts & enrichment sessions 🤝 New friendships and lots of fun!📍 Waltham Abbey (WAY2000) – 9am–12pm 📍 Loughton Youth Centre – 3pm–6pmThe clubs are open to children and young people aged 8–16 years who are eligible for benefit-based free school meals, with some additional places available for children who may benefit from extra support.Our holiday clubs are always hugely popular, providing a safe, welcoming environment where young people can stay active, build confidence, learn new skills and enjoy a healthy meal during the school holidays.A huge thank you to Active Essex, Essex County Council and the Department for Education for making these fantastic opportunities possible. ❤️📲 Book via your HAF voucher code or visit: www.activeessex.org/children-young-people/essex-activateFor more information: 🌐 www.3food4u.org 📞 07973 166940Please help us spread the word by sharing this post with friends, family, schools and community groups.#3Food4U #SummerHAF #EssexActivate #HolidayActivities #WalthamAbbey #Loughton #CommunitySupport #FreeActivities #SchoolHolidaysEpping Forest District Council Find Your Active - West Essex Voluntary Action Epping Forest Essex County Council Epping for Everyone Essex Community Foundation Honey Lane Care Home Essex Police - Epping Forest District Kinder Essex Epping ACE Activities - project of VAEF Epping Town Council Keep It Local Waltham Abbey Active Essex ... See MoreSee Less

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3Food4U

1 week ago

🎉 Official Launch of the 3Food4U Epping Community Hub 🎉Today marked a very special milestone as we formally launched our new Epping Community Hub and Community Supermarket.We were honoured to welcome a number of distinguished guests including Dr Neil Hudson MP, Cllr Razia Sharif, Mayor of Epping, Cllr Janet Whitehouse, Vice Chairman of Epping Forest District Council. EDFC councillors Stephen Murray and Carol Davies who we're proud are long standing volunteers with 3Food4U. Also many of our valued funders, donors, partners and long-term supporters who have helped make this project possible.The hub is already making a significant impact, providing free food support to nearly 50 families every week, alongside a Community Supermarket, charity shop, health and wellbeing activities, exercise classes, social cafés, Memory Cafés, holiday clubs, cooking classes and volunteering opportunities.A huge thank you to our incredible volunteers who have worked tirelessly to transform an empty industrial unit into a thriving community hub. Your commitment, compassion and hard work are helping us change lives every single day.We are also deeply grateful to our funders, donors and supporters whose generosity has enabled us to create a welcoming space where people can access support, improve their wellbeing and connect with others in their community.❤️ Want to get involved?✔ Volunteer with us✔ Donate good-quality items to our charity shop✔ Support our Community Supermarket✔ Partner with us as a business or community group✔ Help spread the word about the services we provideTogether, we are building stronger, healthier and more connected communities.📍 3Food4U Epping Community Hub Bower Hill Industrial Estate Bower Hill Epping CM16 7BNOpen Monday- Sat 9-4pmFree Food Hub Open Fridays 1-2pmEveryone is welcome. Come and see what everyone's talking about!Epping Forest District Council Epping for Everyone Find Your Active - West Essex Voluntary Action Epping Forest Essex Community Foundation Essex County Council Essex Police - Epping Forest District Honey Lane Care Home Kinder Essex Epping ACE Activities - project of VAEF Epping Town Council Epping Town FC Keep It Local Waltham Abbey Brambles Family Hub - Epping Forest District Loughton Residents Group Epping at the Movies ... See MoreSee Less

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3Food4U

1 week ago

Happy Father’s Day from 3food4u! 💙Today we celebrate all the amazing dads, grandads, stepdads, father figures, and mentors in our community. Thank you for your love, guidance, hard work, and the countless memories you create every day.We hope your day is filled with laughter, great food, and time with the people who matter most.From all of us at 3food4u, we wish you a very happy and relaxing Father’s Day! 👨‍👧‍👦❤️#HappyFathersDay #3food4u #Community #Family #CelebrateDad #ThankYouDadsEpping for EveryoneWaltham AbbeyLoughton Residents GroupAnything Ongar ... See MoreSee Less

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3Food4U

1 week ago

🐞🌿 We’re at Lee Valley Fun Day in Waltham Abbey Gardens this morning! 🌿🐞The Mini Beast Hunt is about to start, and there’s lots of fun to be had for all the family.Come down and say hello to the 3Food4U team and enjoy a fantastic morning in the great outdoors.📍 Waltham Abbey Gardens⏰ Until 12pmWe look forward to seeing you!#3Food4U #LeeValleyFunDay #WalthamAbbeyGardens #MiniBeastHunt #CommunityEvent #FamilyFun ... See MoreSee Less

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Please Donate

Our Hub Locations

Waltham Abbey

Monday & Friday 11:00am to 1:00pm

13 Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1ER

Loughton

Tuesday 11:00am to 1:00pm

Loughton Club, 8 Station Road, IG10 4NX

Tottenham SDA

Tuesday 3:30pm to 5:00pm

Saturday 3:30pm to 5:00pm

235-255 W Green Rd, London N15 5EG

Chigwell Row

Wednesday 4:45pm to 6:00pm

All Saints Church Hall, Romford Road, Chigwell Row, IG7 4QD

Chipping Ongar

Thursday 1:00pm to 2:30pm

Budworth Hall, 205 High Road,
Chipping Ongar. CM5 9JG

Bruce Grove

Sunday 12:00pm to 2:00pm

RCCG

454A High Road Bruce Grove, London N17 9JD

3Social&WarmPlaces4U

1st Monday of the month

3:30pm to 5:30pm

All Saints Church Hall
Romford Rd, Chigwell Row, Chigwell IG7 4QD

3rd Wednesday of the month

10:00am to 12:00pm

St James’ Church Hall, Ongar CM5 9EL

2nd Thursday of the month
2:00pm to 4:00pm

Loughton Club, 8 Station Road IG10 4NX

Last Fri of the month

2:30pm to 4:30pm

Waltham Abbey Baptist Church, Paradise Road, EN9 1RL

Free NHS Health Check

1st Tuesday of the month

10-2pm Loughton Hub

1st Thursday of the month

11-3pm Ongar Hub

2nd Mon & Fri of the month

10-1pm Waltham Abbey Hub

Job Club

Every Tuesday

11-12:30pm Loughton Hub

How You Can Help

Donate food

We are always looking for non-perishable food donations

Volunteer

3food4u is run entirely by volunteers. Can you join our team?

Fundraising

To donate visit our fundraising page
DONATE

SHARE

If you know someone in need, or know someone who can help, please share us

About us

Run entirely by volunteers we are charity community hub that provides basic groceries and essentials to those in need. Treating people humanely with dignity and respect without the need for assessment or referral.

Phone

01992 842 642

Mobile / Whatsapp

07973 166940

Charity No.

1192310

EMail

[email protected]

Make A Real Change In Someone’s Life

Donate, Volunteer, Spread the word. Join us on this incredible journey to treat people humanely with the dignity and respect that everyone deserves.

"Thank you again for the help it was really great."

Ms M

"Really friendly welcoming staff. Very helpful, great with kids. Fantastic options even at the end of the day. No judgement."

Mrs K

"First time I've done this...bit apprehensive. Thought it was made painless by friendly attitude of staff."

Mr J

"This place is amazing, best emergency food support I've visited.'"

Ms L

"Fantastic resource set up locally in Waltham Abbey - food to all without question ! amazing job x"

Tracey

"Well done on all your hard work and we are pleased we could support you."

Essex Community Foundation

"You guys are all amazing at 3food4u, so welcoming and kind."

R.J.N.

"Thank you all for your kind work that you do God bless you all "

V.T.

"Incredible facility you provide"

M.S.

"You all do an amazing job"

M.D.

"Always love visiting with my son and daughter! The people are so welcoming , and the guy who I spoke to today was really funny!"

J.R.

"We are please that Loughton Town Council has been able to support your project "

Loughton Town Council

"...the fact u never feel shamed or embarrassed to attend and always welcome no matter who u are is a nice feeling"

K.D.

Please Donate

We received this message at 23.24pm on Wed 7th April from Michelle, which we replied immediately.

Michelle: Hi we are on benefits & we have a autistic adult son, we are finding it really hard at the moment, I was wondering if we are able to get help with food & clothes.

3food4u: Hello Michelle, I’m so sorry to hear about your situation. You are very welcome to come to any one of our hubs, you don’t need any ID or proof, and take whatever you need. It’s all very easy just like going shopping. Come early as there are queues.

Michelle: I’ve got to take my mum for her covid injection today, so was hoping to go to you tomorrow, I’m very nervous. But I saw on Facebook how lovely & friendly the people are & the people make you very welcome x

Michelle visited us on Friday, this is her experience after.

“I’ve used food banks before but never felt comfortable but when I went to your food bank everyone was so friendly and helpful. I would highly recommend you to anyone who’s struggling right now. What made it more special was the personal touch and none of the volunteers were judgemental as it seems to be from other food banks. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with everyone at the Waltham Abbey branch so I’d just like to say thank you to everyone involved.”

Michelle