Brief Description

The Z.S.V trust is a social welfare organisation that responds to social crises that occur in North and North West London.

Food Lifeline (an independent project of the ZSV Trust) was established in 1997 to support needy families through Kosher food parcel distribution. Food Lifeline is recognised as the key distributor of Kosher food parcels to local needy families. Beginning with support to a mere 10 families, we have expanded over the years to provide for 1480 families through our primary bi-annual campaigns.

Vision & Mission

Food Lifeline’s mission is to combat three main issues: hunger, poverty and inequality.
Although it is unrealistic to eradicate these issues entirely, it is our vision and hope to boost self-confidence and promote optimism among the vulnerable to somewhat ease their plight. By providing the essentials and promoting volunteering, we aspire to build a healthier, stronger and more cohesive community.

Aims & Activities

Food Lifeline undertakes various programmes to support the vulnerable in their time of need, through distribution of food parcels as well as related practical assistance. 
We aim to provide instant relief to vulnerable families/ individuals to enable them to focus on their major issues at hand and thereby stabilise their overall situation, rather than be tied down to concerns for food provision. Our food provisions and practical services relieve stress and restore the morale of our disadvantaged beneficiaries.
Our priority is to ensure that families are given a fair chance of support and that no one is turned away. All requests for help are considered seriously and investigated for eligibility.
We are in regular contact with local welfare organisations, who refer potential beneficiaries and verify eligibility. In the event that it is beyond the capacity of Food Lifeline to deal with an issue, we refer the individual to alternative welfare agencies, who are better suited to help.

Facts & Figures

                            Throughout the year, Food Lifeline (FLL) assists a total of 1480 families in need, through a bi-annual food drive campaign (prior to the Jewish Festivals). Parcels generally contain basic food staples as well as household essentials.


In addition, we operate a Emergency Crisis Fund for 50 families a year who find themselves in sudden crisis. This programme runs weekly and supports families on a rotating basis with food parcels which accommodate the specific needs of recipients. 
Based on the needs and requests of our users, Food Lifeline regularly reviews its programmes and expands its services, by launching new initiatives and projects to suit the demand.

All of our operations are run by 60 dedicated volunteers, who are involved with phone calls, stocking, packing and delivering. Where necessary, our volunteers may step in to provide extra non- financial support to beneficiaries who request it, in accordance with GDPR and all relevant regulations.
                            

                            Beneficiaries are the disabled, elderly, single mums, families and children, who are struggling financially due to family crisis including unemployment, onset of sudden illness, marital problems or any other dysfunction that may arise in a family setting. 

We cater for those in the Jewish community, who cannot access public food banks due to cultural dietary restrictions, thereby filling an inequality gap. Our parcels accommodate the specific requirements of our beneficiaries.

Our programmes operate across London, including Hackney, Haringey, Barnet, Brent, Ilford, Redbridge and Waltham Forest.
                            

Awards

No awards received