'Foodbank' street collector outside M&S

[Castleton]

1 hour ago, tomskip said:

I saw the same man being asked to leave his spot outside the entrance to Sainsburys Dog Kennel Hill the other day. It suggests, at least, that Sainsburys didn't licence him to ask for donations there. 

I'll mention this to the M&S staff

[Sally Eva]

On 04/09/2024 at 12:36, alice said:

Your post, perhaps inadvertently, states there is only one legitimate food bank in southwark - of course there are many. 

Fair comment.

[Sue]

4 hours ago, Penguin68 said:

Sainsbury's used (and may still) run their own food bank collection (for items) in store. Maybe that's why. 

But so do M&S, don't they?

[Mops]

This is a pretty hideous description of a vulnerable person with commenters making baseless accusations which could be harmful.

I’d like to see this post renamed if not deleted entirely. It seems highly unlikely there’s any bona fide evidence of fraud here and, even if there were, a person has to be in a pretty dire position to be spending all hours in all weather pounding pavements asking very politely for donations.

I know nothing about this person but see them on Lordship Lane appealing for donations most days and they strike me as someone who could reasonably be quite vulnerable. The comments suggesting police should be called or the individual should be reported to supermarkets seem disproportionate and ill thought out.

We can do better than using slurs like “beggar” and insinuating fraud or theft on little to no evidence.

Yes I find it frustrating to be approached by this person daily, but they’ve done me no harm and I have a monthly direct debit directly to a food bank as when I did my due diligence I decided it was how I could give best bang for my buck. Everyone else who is sceptical or otherwise can do the same.
 

Please consider whether you really want to add fuel to this fire and whether your descriptions or accusations are fair and verifiable. This is a real person you’re talking about.

[tomskip]

On the whole I agree with what you say Mops. But the solution to this person's vulnerability is not to encourage him to collect money under the guise of it being a charity collection (if it is not) surely? People who are short of money themselves could be donating whilst under the impression they are giving to an organisation, not an individual who needs cash. It's ok to question the validity of collection buckets, no matter who is holding them. Or no? I always feel it's best to be honest. I hope some of the many excellent local homeless outreach workers are talking to him. 

[Jenijenjen]

How do you reach the conclusion the collector is

a. "an in̈dividual who needs cash". As I posted up thread, he collects for a properly incorporated Community Interest Company.

b. homeless

He may be annoying but there are a lot of annoying people in East Dulwich and the wider world.

Edited September 8, 2024 by Jenijenjen
addition

[Alf12]

Hi there. 
 

I’m wondering if you can help. I’m doing some research into this organisation and am wondering if they are still active in your area.

[Zahid]

Hi all, just jumping in to help clear up some confusion around CityHive London C.I.C.

CityHive is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) that supports food banks, soup kitchens, and community hubs across London and surrounding areas. It operates in the same space as respected organisations like The Felix Project, City Harvest, and Fareshare.

The key difference?
Those larger organisations often receive big grants and corporate funding — but they’re able to do that because they pay professional bid writers to apply for those grants. And guess what? Bid writers aren't free. They’re often paid staff or consultants, which smaller groups like CityHive simply can’t afford.

Instead, CityHive runs on the kindness and generosity of individual people — everyday donors, volunteers, and fundraisers who believe in what they do.

Some have asked why a food-related group would need money. It’s important to understand:
Money is essential for things like:

• Fuel and van hire to deliver food

• Buying fresh ingredients and shelf-stable items

• Renting storage space

• Basic admin to keep things organised and running smoothly

If you’re ever unsure about someone fundraising for CityHive, you can always contact their office to verify. They’re happy to provide reassurance.

If you want to see the impact of their work, check out their Instagram: @cityhivemedia. You’ll see the real organisations and people who benefit, showing their appreciation publicly.

Not everyone can give money — and that’s totally fine. But even a like or a share goes further than criticism. Sadly, it feels like there are more haters than helpers out there right now. If you’re genuinely curious or concerned, ask for proof — and when it’s shown, help spread the good. Don’t just assume the worst about people trying to make a difference.

Let’s be louder with love than we are with doubt. 💛

[snowy]

I mean good luck to you, but with 4 staff you have still failed to submit your statutory accounts for your two eligible years of operation and are overdue with them this year too. Companies House have taken steps to close you twice.

Your annual loss in trading is increasing each year. 

You have had two directors resign in 2022 leaving only 1 in place which isn't the best if you want good governance- but that also stops you from being able to raise funds from trusts and foundations. 

 

[Zahid]

Thanks for your message — I actually took the time to look into what CityHive does before posting my original comment, and I’d encourage anyone with questions to do the same.

Yes, the Companies House filings are overdue — but from what I’ve gathered, this seems likely to be an accountant or admin issue, not some sign of ill intent. A lot of small, community-based organisations face challenges keeping up with formalities, especially when they’re focused on immediate needs like food distribution. Let’s not forget CityHive is a not-for-profit, volunteer-powered CIC — not a corporate machine.

As for the directors, people stepping down or being replaced is often about capacity or commitment — which is completely normal in the voluntary and community sector. New directors are sometimes appointed when others can no longer give the time. It doesn’t automatically mean bad governance — it just means people’s circumstances change.

CityHive’s actual work speaks volumes. They buy most of the food they distribute — fresh produce, essential groceries, and shelf-stable items — and then deliver it to food banks, soup kitchens, and community projects across London. The food doesn’t stay with CityHive — it goes out to local food hubs, and from there, directly to people who need it most.

And while yes, there may be a few paid staff handling logistics or admin, there’s a huge volunteer effort behind the scenes that often goes unseen. Regular people giving their time to drive vans, sort donations, load pallets, pack food parcels — that’s what keeps things running. And when people don’t volunteer? Those same tasks still need to be done — which means they have to be paid for. Otherwise, the whole thing grinds to a halt.

As the need grows, organisations like CityHive will inevitably need more support — both in people and funding. But the bigger issue here isn’t one small CIC trying to make ends meet. The real issue is the society we live in — and a government that isn’t playing its part in eradicating poverty. If it were, organisations like CityHive, The Felix Project, City Harvest, FareShare, and the Trussell Trust wouldn’t need to exist, let alone be thriving.

They thrive because the need is growing. That’s not a reflection on them — it’s a reflection on a broken system that allows people to go hungry in one of the richest cities in the world.

If you're in doubt about what they’re doing, go check their Instagram: @cityhivemedia. You’ll see the real organisations and people receiving food, sharing thanks, and showing how far the impact reaches. Even Southwark Foodbank has received food from CityHive — that alone should speak volumes.

So again — how does any of this harm you personally? Why spend time trying to discredit a group trying to support those who are falling through the cracks?

We need more people lifting others up — not adding weight to those already carrying the load.

[Dogkennelhillbilly]

9 hours ago, Zahid said:

Yes, the Companies House filings are overdue — but from what I’ve gathered, this seems likely to be an accountant or admin issue, not some sign of ill intent. A lot of small, community-based organisations face challenges...

If you're a fundraising intermediary, reporting promptly and accurately on how you've raised and spent funds seems quite important.

[tiddles]

Umm think this was covered in the previous post?? 

[DuncanW]

CIC is not the appropriate vehicle for a fund-raising intermediary. 

CICs are for businesses that typically sell something or provide a service for social good  but are not for profit; a community cafe or arts centre, or an IT skills training centre for  unemployed people.

it costs £65 to set up  a CIC, the scrutiny is less than for a full charity, and the administrative burden is pretty low if you don’t file accounts.

It’s hard to prove a negative, but if you were trying to build a credible, positive case for giving money to street collectors for CityHive CIC, that might be a little harder still… tho thank you, Zahid for joining the Forum to give it a go.

[Alf12]

On 08/04/2025 at 21:50, Zahid said:

Hi all, just jumping in to help clear up some confusion around CityHive London C.I.C.

CityHive is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) that supports food banks, soup kitchens, and community hubs across London and surrounding areas. It operates in the same space as respected organisations like The Felix Project, City Harvest, and Fareshare.

The key difference?
Those larger organisations often receive big grants and corporate funding — but they’re able to do that because they pay professional bid writers to apply for those grants. And guess what? Bid writers aren't free. They’re often paid staff or consultants, which smaller groups like CityHive simply can’t afford.

Instead, CityHive runs on the kindness and generosity of individual people — everyday donors, volunteers, and fundraisers who believe in what they do.

Some have asked why a food-related group would need money. It’s important to understand:
Money is essential for things like:

• Fuel and van hire to deliver food

• Buying fresh ingredients and shelf-stable items

• Renting storage space

• Basic admin to keep things organised and running smoothly

If you’re ever unsure about someone fundraising for CityHive, you can always contact their office to verify. They’re happy to provide reassurance.

If you want to see the impact of their work, check out their Instagram: @cityhivemedia. You’ll see the real organisations and people who benefit, showing their appreciation publicly.

Not everyone can give money — and that’s totally fine. But even a like or a share goes further than criticism. Sadly, it feels like there are more haters than helpers out there right now. If you’re genuinely curious or concerned, ask for proof — and when it’s shown, help spread the good. Don’t just assume the worst about people trying to make a difference.

Let’s be louder with love than we are with doubt. 💛

Interesting 😀

Edited April 12, 2025 by Alf12