A charity that works as a food and clothing bank and more is searching for a future long-term base for its operations after a shopping centre made it its charity of the year.

PL84U AL SUFFA supports families and people of all ages in Waltham Forest with a range of services including a food bank, clothing bank, baby bank, providing furniture, household goods and hot meals.

Established in 2013 and receiving a charity status in 2016, it has become an important lifeline to help people struggling within the community.

PL84U AL SUFFA hopes to find a long-term base with a minimum of 10 years’ lease for its operations to continue growing and reach its full potential.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: PL84U AL SUFFA has helped members in the communityPL84U AL SUFFA has helped members in the community

The charity is also in desperate need of a hybrid van.

Walthamstow shopping centre 17&Central has also now declared the group as ‘charity of the year’ after the two collaborated over the last year.

The work ranged from establishing a mini foodbank outside the Asda store, supporting the charity with donations during Eid, and now helping to address the cost of living crisis.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: PL84U AL SUFFAPL84U AL SUFFA

Marketing manager Gwendolyne Lobo said: “We sat down as a team to discuss how we could best support the Walthamstow community and scope out the areas where we felt we could make a difference.

“We all agreed that rising inflation, high energy bills and the noticeable increase in homelessness and food poverty are huge issues for our community at the moment, and we were inspired by the charity’s work during the pandemic to do more to help.

“By partnering with this amazing charity, we are hoping to contribute positively towards these causes and assist PL84U AL SUFFA in its quest to help families dealing with food poverty and struggling with their mental health and wellbeing.”

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: A foodbank is among the services offered at PL84U AL SUFFAA foodbank is among the services offered at PL84U AL SUFFA

Saira Begum Mir BEM, founder of the charity, said: “We are hoping that our newly formed partnership will help us to support the needs of the community to the fullest, expand our networks and focus on the many humanitarian causes that we are currently dealing with.

“At the same time, we would also like to be kind to the environment and are passionate about recycling and saving resources from landfill.”