A female stands in front of shelves filled with food. She is smiling while placing tinned food from a box onto the shelfA female stands in front of shelves filled with food. She is smiling while placing tinned food from a box onto the shelf

Harvest 2026

Organise a collection in your school, community group or company to help people experiencing homelessness in Essex.

A female wearing a HARP branded top stands in front of shelves filled with canned food. She is looking at the camera.

What is Harvest?

Harvest is traditionally a time to give thanks for the food we have and share with others. Many schools, religions and other groups celebrate Harvest by collecting donations for local charities and supporting people who may be struggling.

It is all about community, generosity and helping one another.

The donations we receive help us:

  • Provide meals and food parcels
  • Stock our kitchens and support services
  • Support people through difficult times
  • Ensure nobody goes without essentials

Last year, your incredible donations provided food for our residents for 6 months. For the people we support, your donations make an immediate and meaningful difference.

What we've achieved last year

Thank you to everyone that has supported us so far.

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Over £55,000 of food donated to help people in our community.

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Including over 750 tins of baked beans!

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Food items collected

Our impact

Homelessness is rising and the demand for our support has never been higher.

Every tin collected frees up funds we’d otherwise spend on food meaning more goes toward advice, housing support and getting people off the streets for good.

891 people received advice, a hot meal, showers, clothing and other support at our day centre last year.

Last year, 118 people moved on from HARP into their own homes, taking a step away from homelessness.

On any given night, HARP provides a safe place to stay for over 320 people.

Get involved

There are so many ways to get involved. We’re here to support you every step of the way

A female standing against a green background. She is smiling and holding a wicker basket of food.

Book a talk

Our team visits schools, churches and organisations across Essex to explain what HARP does, why the harvest collection matters, and how each tin becomes a meal.

Book a speaker
A man and woman standing, each holding a crate full of donated food. On the floor are several more crates filled with food. The background is green showing a calendar

Book a collection

Got a full haul ready to go? Arrange for HARP to come and collect your donations.

Arrange a collection

Download resources

Harvest guides, assembly packs and more. Everything you need to make your Harvest a success

Download resources

Thank you to everyone taking part this year

Saint Pierre

Hadleigh Junior School

Southend High School for Boys

St Helen's Primary School

Thorpedeane Primary School

Hadleigh Infants School