The acquisition of an electric van has given on of Newham’s largest food banks an extra boost.

Around the corner from Carpenters Café, there’s also a smile on the face of Samantha White, the manager of the Carpenters and Dockland Centre which every week is supporting more than 700 people with food parcels as well as hygiene, sanitary and cleaning products.

Samantha and her team of around 14 volunteers are celebrating a gift that has sparked life into the centre’s faltering food collection service.

The acquisition of an electric van recently had given the centre a boost, promising a green and efficient way of delivering and collecting food for their food bank service, one of the largest in Newham.

But the van came with a challenge – how to charge its big batteries which were receiving a trickle of electric charge through the three-point plug connection.

Now, thanks to the generosity of local solar technology company Rainbow Energy, based in Marshgate Lane, Pudding Mill, the van has a purpose built unit that provides a fast charge to keep the van on the road.

“It’s made a fantastic difference to our work,” said Samantha. “We’re no longer kept waiting for the van to be charged up and it’s had a huge impact on our food collections.”

The link with Rainbow Energy has also given a boost to Christmas celebrations for children on and around the Carpenters Estate. A special charity action by Give Back London, a charitable initiative of Rainbow Energy’s office manager Su-Yen Foong, will support a Christmas party, for up to 100 children who use the Centre’s childcare service, on 15 December.

The party is a special event that adds to the support the Centre already provides. “Our food bank is supporting 711 people and our Warm Haven is already a welcoming community café,” said Samantha, “this is where people can get some hot food, drinks, clothing, charge their mobile and online devices and use the showers. All of it is free to people who need it.

“The party will be a fantastic event,” she said. “There will be a Santa’s grotto and presents for everyone.”

Give Back London founder Su-Yen Foong says up to 100 children will attend the party. “We will be covering all the costs,” she said, “ including providing an entertainer, a range of delicious food treats as well as gifts for all of the children.”

The Carpenters and Dockland Centre is a part of the Dockland Settlement which also includes centres on the Isle of Dogs and
Rotherhithe and some of the children from there will join the party on the 15th.

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