The largest emergency food agency in Epping Forest is helping disadvantaged people connect to the internet thanks to a scheme operated by a leading network provider.

3Food4U is offering free connectivity, via Vodafone’s charities connected initiative, to tackle digital exclusion for people in Epping Forest district and surrounding areas in Essex.

SIM cards are available (while stocks last) from all of the charity’s community hubs offering free calls, texts and 20GB data per month for six months. These are limited to a maximum of two per family.

3Food4U’s chair of trustees Pesh Kapasiawala and volunteer Joe Bristow will be running the London Marathon on Sunday, October 2 to raise money for the organisation.

Pesh will be competing in his 13th consecutive London Marathon, and 25th in all, and Joe his second.

The charity's founder will also be taking on the challenge of the Welsh 15 Peaks the previous weekend from September 23 to 25, hiking and scrambling through 15 mountains above 3000m in Snowdonia.

Joe said: “I feel very privileged to be taking part in the 2022 London Marathon to raise much needed funds for my chosen charity 3Food4U.

“They’re a vital lifeline to 10,000s of individuals and families particularly now with the cost-of-living crisis, providing anyone who needs help with free food and essential clothing without assessment or referral, treating people humanely with dignity and respect.

“3Food4U has become the largest emergency food agency in Epping Forest district supporting families in EFDC, Harlow, Redbridge, Waltham Forest, Enfield and beyond 7 days a week, 52 weeks in the year.”

To support Pesh and Joe, visit their fundraising pages at https://www.stewardship.org.uk/pages/3food4u_PeshLondonMarathon22 and https://www.stewardship.org.uk/pages/3food4u_JoeLondonMarathon22

3Food4U is offering free groceries, clothes and essentials without assessment or referral to anyone that needs it. It is always grateful for new volunteers to help deliver its vital service.

The charity has a fundraising page at www.stewardship.org.uk/partners/20356308 and its community surplus hubs are open as follows:

  • Monday: Waltham Abbey – 13 Sun Street - 11.30am to 1pm
  • Tuesday: Loughton – Loughton Club, 8 Station Road - 11.30am to 1pm
  • Wednesday: Chigwell Row – All Saints Church Hall, Romford Road - 5pm to 6.30pm
  • Thursday: Ongar – Zinc Arts Centre, High Street - 1pm to 2.30pm
  • Friday: Waltham Abbey – 13, Sun Street - 11.30am to 1pm

For further details, visit 3food4u.org, email info.3food4u@gmail.com or call 01992 842642.