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.

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Over 2000 families
(4500 individuals)
supported per week

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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

3,215

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

24 hours ago

🌟 Partner With An Award-Winning Charity & Make A Real Difference 🌟3Food4U is currently looking for local businesses, organisations and corporate partners to become official sponsors of our charity and help us continue supporting thousands of local people every single week.As the largest surplus food and emergency food agency in Essex, we support over 2,000 families a week with dignity, compassion and non-judgemental support. Alongside food support, we also deliver: 💚 Mental health & wellbeing programmes💚 Holiday clubs for children💚 Memory & Social Cafés💚 Youth mentoring & employability projects💚 Health & wellbeing activities💚 Community surplus hubs across Epping Forest DistrictWith over 400 volunteers, 10,000+ social media followers, strong local media presence and 6 branded vans across the district, sponsorship with 3Food4U is not only an opportunity to support the community — it’s also a powerful way to demonstrate your company’s social responsibility and community values.We offer a range of sponsorship packages including: ⭐ Website & social media promotion⭐ Business features & publicity⭐ Branding opportunities on clothing and vehicles⭐ Invitations to major charity events⭐ Staff volunteering opportunities⭐ Partnership with a King’s Award for Voluntary Service winning charityTogether, we can continue feeding families, reducing isolation, protecting the environment through surplus redistribution and creating lasting positive change across our communities.If your business would like to sponsor or partner with 3Food4U, please get in touch: 📧 [email protected]📞 07973 166940 🌍 www.3food4u.orgPlease share and help us reach businesses who may want to support our work 🙏💚#3Food4U #Community #CorporateSocialResponsibility #EssexBusiness #Sponsorship #KingsAward #CommunitySupport #EppingForest #CharityPartnership #TogetherWeCan ... See MoreSee Less

3food4U | Free Food For You!

www.3food4u.org

New Community CentreThe 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, wellb...

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3Food4U

1 day ago

⚽️ What a fantastic afternoon of community spirit, football and partnership at the Voluntary Action Epping Forest / ACE Activities - project of VAEF ) vs Colebrook Royal Legends charity football match at Grange Farm Centre , Chigwell.We were incredibly proud for 3Food4U to sponsor this special event, bringing together organisations and local people who all share a passion for supporting our community through sport, wellbeing and inclusion.Congratulations to VAEF on their well deserved victory 👏🏽🏆 and huge credit to everyone involved in organising such a positive and inspiring event.A special thank you to Loughton Town Mayor Cllr Stephen Harriman and & former Loughton Town Mayor David Wixley for coming along to support the day and champion community initiatives like this. Your continued encouragement means a great deal to local charities and voluntary organisations.Events like these show the power of partnership, volunteering and community engagement — bringing people together, raising awareness and creating opportunities for young people and families across the district.Well done to all the players, volunteers, organisers and supporters who made the day such a success ⚽️💙💚Volunteers, supporters & donors are always welcome. Contact us to discuss our opportunities.Email [email protected] WhatsApp 07973 166940 ... See MoreSee Less

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3Food4U

2 days ago

This lovely weather is making us think of holidays, BBQs and PICNICS!! Please join us for 'Epping's Biggest Picnic' which is taking place on Saturday 6th June, 12-3pm at Stonards Playing Field. We're collecting cupboard, long life items and toiletries for the new Epping hub of 3Food4U, so feel free to bring like anything like this along with you. We'd also love it if you brought a dish for our sharing table, especially anything which is special in some way - nan's favourite recipe or dad's best relish, for example. We'd love you to share the story behind the food, so again, feel free to write a couple of sentences to display next to it. Or if you simply want to bring along some bog standard sausage rolls (other food items will be accepted!) just bring them - no story required! ... See MoreSee Less

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3Food4U

3 days ago

Great initiative, we're proud to be partnering with Epping for Everyone with Epping's Big Lunch event.This lovely weather is making us think of holidays, BBQs and PICNICS!! Please join us for 'Epping's Biggest Picnic' which is taking place on Saturday 6th June, 12-3pm at Stonards Playing Field. We're collecting cupboard, long life items and toiletries for the new Epping hub of 3Food4U, so feel free to bring like anything like this along with you. We'd also love it if you brought a dish for our sharing table, especially anything which is special in some way - nan's favourite recipe or dad's best relish, for example. We'd love you to share the story behind the food, so again, feel free to write a couple of sentences to display next to it. Or if you simply want to bring along some bog standard sausage rolls (other food items will be accepted!) just bring them - no story required! ... See MoreSee Less

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3Food4U

3 days ago

💚 HAVE YOU VISITED OUR NEW EPPING COMMUNITY HUB YET? 💚3Food4U is proud to welcome the community to our brand new Epping Community Hub at Europa House, Bower Hill, Epping CM16 7BN.Our hub is more than just a building — it’s a welcoming community space designed to support local people with dignity, compassion and respect.What you’ll find at our Epping Hub: 🛍 A charity shop full of bargains, clothing, household items, toys and more🥫 A discounted Community Supermarket helping families stretch their budgets🍎 Our Friday Surplus Hub (1pm–2pm) offering free food and essentials — open to everyone, no referral needed☕ A friendly and supportive environment where people can connect and feel valued💪 Free and low-cost health & wellbeing activities.Yoga Tuesdays 2-3 Fitness Wed 9.30-10.30am from 17th June.More free activities soon!If you're passionate about teaching a hobby or skill we would love to hear from you.By redistributing surplus food and goods, we are also helping reduce landfill waste and protect the environment while supporting local people through difficult times.We are open Monday–Saturday, 9am–4pm with plenty of parking available.We also welcome: 💚 Volunteer applications.💚 Donations of quality clothing & small household items💚 Local business support & partnershipsTogether, we can continue making a real difference across our community.📧 [email protected]📱 Text 3FOOD4U to 70450 to donate.Please LIKE SHARE and TAG friends who care about community support and fighting food waste.Thanks toEpping Forest District Council, Find Your Active - West Essex Voluntary Action Epping Forest Essex Community Foundation Epping for Everyone Kinder Essex Epping Epping Town Council Essex Police - Epping Forest District Essex ActivAte ACE Activities - project of VAEF Brambles Family Hub - Epping Forest District Bright Stars Pre-School Loughton Town Council Dr Neil Hudson West Essex Wellbeing Fiona Essex Wellbeing Service Keep It Local Waltham Abbey Keep It Local Epping North Weald Thornwood Ongar Brentwood Oakwood Hill Community Centre Parish of High Ongar Queens Nursery & Pre School ... See MoreSee Less

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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