Feeding Hope: Inside the Roehampton Community Box

Meet the Roehampton Community Box: a lifeline for six hundred people each week, providing vital support during times of need.

The Roehampton Community Box was launched in March 2020 by national charity Rackets Cubed in response to COVID and the food crisis it created.

Initially, the project primarily served families through local schools and nurseries targeting areas with high levels of child food poverty. However, as the need grew, the project evolved, allowing anyone in need of help to self-refer for support. Today, the Roehampton Community Box serves as a busy hub of activity, where volunteers work tirelessly to meet the growing demand for support.

Nikki Rossner, CEO of the Rackets Cubed, reflects on the rapid growth the project has experienced since its inception. “We started with just thirty families in April 2020, and within a matter of weeks, we were supporting over 300 families,” she shares. The surge in demand underscores the critical role that initiatives like the Community Box play in supporting vulnerable communities, especially during times of crisis.

This social supermarket sells discounted products to those on a low income. Unlike a foodbank, there’s a charge for products, and the items aren’t pre-packaged. This is becoming an increasingly popular choice and a growing necessity for many people in the UK due to the ever-rising cost of living.  

Since 2020, the non-profit organisation, City Harvest has been supporting Roehampton Community Box with vital free food to support those in need.

City Harvest has delivered over 80,000 meals to Roehampton Community Box. 

Nat Price, the Hub’s Manager, emphasises the importance of fostering a sense of belonging within the community. “We try to be a community within a community,” she explains. Their commitment and support is evident in the way that the Roehampton Community Box provides support beyond food. The hub is a haven where individuals can find counselling, and a friend, through initiatives such as ‘The Community Cuppa’ where customers are offered a hot drink and sweet treats and get to meet other people within the community. 

“Without this assistance, we would struggle to put food on the table”

For many, the Roehampton Community Box is a lifeline in the face of adversity. One customer, whose husband serves as her primary carer, shares her gratitude for the support the hub provides. “Without this assistance, we would struggle to put food on the table,” she confides. Her story echoes the needs of countless others who rely on communities like this. 

Through partnership, innovation, and unwavering dedication, the Roehampton Community Box stands as a testament to the resilience and compassion of the human spirit, proving that together, we can overcome even the greatest of challenges.