We’re looking for community hubs to join Kitchen Social

We’re looking for community hubs to join our Kitchen Social programme and help support young people with free nutritious meals and exciting holiday activities.

While onboarding community hubs in all London boroughs, we’d particularly love to hear from organisations based in Bexley, Enfield, Havering, Hillingdon, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Richmond-upon-Thames, and Waltham Forest.

By joining Kitchen Social, you’ll receive funding for food provision across all school holiday periods, access to our Take & Make food boxes, activity sessions, and training and resources as part of our pan-London network, consisting of 90 community hubs.

If you’d like to join our Kitchen Social programme and help support London’s young people, email our Food and Wellbeing Coordinator, Freya, at fgronow@mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk.

What is Kitchen Social?

Kitchen Social, a Mayor’s Fund for London programme, is the largest independent provider of food for children in London during the school holidays.

It’s a programme that addresses the severe and growing issue of children and young people facing food insecurity and social isolation outside of term time. Poor nutrition and isolation affect a child’s physical wellbeing and long-term educational attainment and employment prospects, thereby perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

The programme gives children and young people a safe place to go during the school holidays where they can socialise, make new friends and get a free, healthy meal.

Community clubs around the capital have received small grants for good food and holiday activities, aimed at the estimated 400,000 children and young people in London who are most at risk of food insecurity.

Last Summer, during the midst of the school’s summer holiday period, Kitchen Social reached a bittersweet milestone – it delivered its one-millionth meal.

At the time, our Head of Food and Wellbeing, Jade Harris said:

“In an ideal world, we wouldn’t need programmes like Kitchen Social, however year-on-year we are seeing a growing need for more community hubs, activities, and meals, both during term time and school holidays. We’re deeply grateful for the support from so many independent funders, corporate supporters and individual donors. Without their help, a lot of young people would have missed out on access to life’s most basic needs.”

Kitchen Social has had a wide range of supporters, including ASOS, BBC Children in Need, Benugo Restaurants, Berkeley Foundation, BGC Partners, Bloomberg, Caravan Restaurants, Department for Education, Dulwich College, Julia & Hans Rausing Foundation, Rothschild Foundation, Texel Foundation, The Childhood Trust, The National Lottery Community Fund, The Ned, Thomas Franks Foundation, Wahaca Restaurants and the Westminster Foundation.

What is the Mayor’s Fund for London?

The Mayor’s Fund for London is a non-politically aligned, independent charity that champions opportunities for young Londoners from low-income backgrounds.

Our charitable activities are vital in addressing the inequalities deepened by the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. We deliver a suite of impactful programmes which help to safeguard and transform the life chances of young Londoners by supporting them with access to food, wellbeing, education, and employment opportunities.

In 2021, we supported close to 40,000 young Londoners aged 4-24 across all 33 boroughs working in partnership with over 1,125 schools, 100 community organisations and charities, 220 employers and 400 volunteers, social enterprises, and local authorities.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is our patron.

For more information about what we do, visit our About Us page.