Local homelessness and poverty activist Tommy Anderson has started his usual pre-Christmas drive to help and highlight those having difficulties by holding a food bank drive this year. The help will be provided via four local food banks, Cann Hall Community Kitchen, St Andrews Church, The Hornbeam Food Bank and Crates 4 U Leytonstone and will be provided to residents and those homeless in need of support in the borough.

The drive, which has already started and seeing some success, is focussed on donations made via Walthamstow’s Rose & Crown pub. Food donations and the drive will close on 21 December and we encourage the general public to support this important and timely local initiative.

There will be a fund and food raising night featuring local stars Steve White And The Protest Family at The Hoe Street Club on 16 December (flyer attached).

This initiative is supported by Waltham Forest Trades Council who have made a small donation to the fundraising and whose members have made donations to the food collection.

After the collection closes Tommy, who is also President of Waltham Forest Trades Council, and Leslie Finlayson, Vice-Chair of Waltham Forest Trades Council, will divide the food donated and deliver to each of the food banks where they will be available for photo opportunities.

Tommy Anderson, President, Waltham Forest Trades Council said: “It is disgraceful that in the twenty first century there are still a vast number of people having to choose between heating their homes or buying food to eat as well as the number of homeless people in the borough and around the country. When I was young, a very long time ago, I thought we would have defeated poverty and homeless by now. We seem no nearer doing that presently than we did back then, and our current political leaders seem as unwilling and unconcerned as ever to take the necessary steps to finally cure these two social evils.”

For further information contact Tommy Anderson, President, Waltham Forest Trades Council 07506 733 392