Call usSupport your Local Food Banks
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Every contribution counts in the fight against hunger in our community
🌟 Support Your Local Food Banks! 🌟
Our community food banks are a lifeline for families and individuals facing tough times, but they can't do it alone. The Reading Lions Club is proud to run this essential service, helping ensure no one in our area goes hungry. We're asking for your support – every tin, every packet, every donation makes a real difference.
We're collecting non-perishable food, toiletries, and cleaning products at convenient drop-off points around town. Check your cupboards for unopened, in-date items and drop them into one of our collection boxes – it's a simple act that means the world to someone in need.
Find your nearest collection box and help us make a positive impact together. Thank you for your generosity! 💙 #SupportLocal #FoodBank #CommunityMatters
In the heart of our community, local food banks play a crucial role in supporting families and individuals facing food insecurity. As living costs continue to rise and more people find themselves in need, our food banks are working tirelessly to ensure that no one goes hungry. However, they cannot do it alone—they rely on the generosity of people like you.
This service is proudly run by the Reading Lions Club, dedicated to making a positive impact in our community. Donating to your local food bank is one of the most impactful ways you can help those in need. Every tin of beans, every bag of pasta, and every packet of cereal contributes to a meal for someone who might otherwise go without. If you are able to, please consider making a donation—whether it's food or toiletries, every little helps. To make it easier for you, we have set up a number of collection boxes across various locations in our community. Check out our list of collection points below and find the one most convenient for you!
How You Can Help
- Give what you can: Toiletries and cleaning products are also in high demand and greatly appreciated.
Collection Box Locations
We have placed collection boxes at the following convenient locations:
Meadway News, 151 The Meadway, Tilehurst RG30 4AP
50 Park Lane, Tilehurst RG31 5DT
Fledglings Day Nursery, Little Heath School, Little Heath Rd, Tilehurst RG31 5TY
61 Westwood Glen, Tilehurst RG31 5NW
98 Cotswold Way, Tilehurst RG31 6SR
The Co-Operative, The Colonade, Overdown Road, Tilehurst RG31 6PR
8 Armour Hill, Tilehurst RG31 6JS
Fledglings Lodge, 51 Armour Hill, Tilehurst RG31 6JP
40 Goodliffe Gardens, Tilehurst RG31 6FZ
33 Simons Close, Tilehurst RG31 6GA
Pure Gym, Unit 3 Reading Retail Park, Oxford Road, Reading RG30 1PR
The Impact of Your Support
Your support doesn't just put food on the table; it offers hope and reassurance to neighbours who are struggling. Together, we can foster a community where everyone is cared for and no one has to face hunger alone. Even the smallest act of kindness makes a huge difference.
Let's come together and show the true spirit of our community. Donate to your local food bank today and help us support those who need it most. Thank you for making a difference.
If you are able to purchase an extra item or just have a look through your cupboards and have food or toiletries that you are not likely to use then please consider donating to us. We just ask that donations are unopened items that are within their use by date.
Reading Lions Club thank Downsway Community Coffee Hub for their remarkable support
The Reading Lions Club continues to make a positive impact through its ongoing Food Heroes Project, dedicated to supporting those in need across our community. This week, representatives from the Lions had the pleasure of visiting The Downsway Community Coffee Hub to express heartfelt thanks for their unwavering and regular support.
The Downsway Community Coffee Hub has been a steadfast supporter of the Food Heroes Project, providing generous donations and encouragement since its inception. Their commitment has made a significant difference, helping us to reach more families and individuals facing hardship in the Reading area.
During the visit, Steve from New Beginnings, a local food bank, also joined the coffee morning. Steve took the opportunity to personally thank the Coffee Hub for their ongoing contributions, as well as a special collection recently organised to purchase additional food and essential toiletries for the bank. This thoughtful initiative will provide much-needed relief to many who rely on New Beginnings' services.
Steve was delighted to share information about the wide range of support New Beginnings offers and was on hand to answer any questions from Coffee Hub members and visitors. This open dialogue helped raise awareness about the local challenges faced by families and individuals and highlighted the vital role community organisations play in providing practical help and hope.
Both Reading Lions and New Beginnings are deeply grateful for the generosity and community spirit shown by The Downsway Community Coffee Hub. Their support continues to make a real and meaningful difference, ensuring no one in our community is left behind in times of need.
We extend our sincere thanks to everyone involved and encourage others to get in touch if you would like to support the Food Heroes Project or learn more about how you can help. Together, we can continue to build a stronger, more caring Reading for everyone.
How can you help?
Reading Lions provides a Free box which you place outside. We visit and empty every two weeks, with no contact required. Whether a regular donation of a can of food, Christmas stock or a commercial clear-out, we also make one off collection direct from individual donors.
Food you donate will be forwarded to vulnerable individuals, groups and families in Reading and appreciated more than you ever know. Making you a Hero in another's eyes.
The following items are in great demand: Tins of fruit, tuna, cooked meat, pasta & sauces, long life milk, coffee, squash, jam, peanut butter, instant porridge, cup a soup, noodles, instant custard, toiletries - NOW Prescription Glasses too.
PLEASE DO NOT DONATE if you or if any member of your household or someone within immediate contact is displaying symptoms of or are suffering with diagnosed Covid-19.
Prescription Glasses (no cases) also collected here. Millions of people Worldwide have seen sight restored since 1967
To donate on-line and support Reading Lions Club efforts please use 
WHO ARE WE SUPPORTING?
We are donating our food collections to 'New Beginnings' - a Reading charity dedicated to the relief of poverty, financial hardship and homelessness. They open their Community Fridge weekly, providing free food and living essentials to an average of 50 individuals and 23 families every day. Once a week they also provide a hot meal, cake and fruit to takeaway to those in need.
We are also donating some of our food collections to the local foodbank managed by Whitley Community Development Association in Whitley. They need all the help we can give as demand is increasing.
"Thank you, Lions, for your support. Your donation today to Whitley Community development association is really appreciated."
A big thank you to everyone collecting for us on a regular basis - your contributions are amazing!
The Lions Club of Reading is a registered charity (No.1193075) - Members volunteer their time supporting many in need in Reading.
We continue to look at new ways to help those in need. Contact us if you know of someone in need of assistance or of a local cause that needs support. The Lions Club of Reading is a registered charity (No. 1193075) - All club members are volunteers offering their time freely to support those in need in Reading.
