A food bank charity that was at risk of closure after being suddenly evicted has found new premises after an “incredible” community fundraising effort.
Smile London and Essex, which supports disadvantaged families in crisis by providing clothing and food bank services, said it had secured a new hub three times larger than its former premises that would allow it to expand its services “significantly”.
The charity was at risk of closure after being suddenly evicted from its support hub in Romford, east London, last month.
Its landlord initially gave the charity just seven days to vacate the premises, which it had used for free as a licensed occupier for four years, but the lease was later extended to 9 May.
Smile has now secured larger premises in Romford, largely thanks to community fundraising efforts in which local businesses, schools and individuals raised more than £40,000 for the charity.
Maria Quaife, chief executive of Smile, said: “We are immensely grateful to the community for their incredible support during this challenging time.
“Their generosity and solidarity have allowed us to not only secure a new home but also to enhance our capacity to serve those in need.”
The organisation said that its new property, which is an empty Havering Council premises, was secured at a discounted rate. The site is three times larger than its previous hub, which the charity said will enable it to “expand its services significantly”.
The new premises will include a private food pantry at the back of the property, a larger charity shop to generate more funds for the organisation and a new drop-in cafe that will offer a variety of hot drinks, cakes and affordable lunches for low-income residents.
Havering Council is giving the charity expedited access to the new site to align with its former premises’ eviction deadline of 9 May.
The charity said it was aided in its relocation by Kilnbridge Construction, which provided a large workforce to help relocate stock to the new site and completed a full refurbishment of the premises.