FOOD BANKS

Food banks have seen a significant increase over the last decade, not just in Leeds, but across the United Kingdom. As with any definition it is subjective and open to interpretation as to how one defines a Food Bank. Two key characteristics that are often found at foodbanks are that the person who is receiving food has often been referred by another agency/group, using some kind of referral system. Secondly, the recipient receives a food parcel which they take back to their house/accommodation when accessing.

See below for a document which has a broad overview of foodbank and more general food aid provision. The rest of this page contains similar information on foodbank provision and links to various websites.

1) Leeds North & West, South & East Foodbank

Many of the outlets of these Trussell Trust foodbanks have started to reopen since the height of the pandemic. Please see below for relevant opening times. To register as an agency for online referrals, please contact either of the foodbanks' email:

info@leedsnorthandwest.foodbank.org.uk or info@leedssouthandeast.foodbank.org.uk

The new National Citizens Advice helpline freephone number – 0808 208 2138 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm) can also help people with getting a referral.

2) Holbeck Food Bank

Holbeck Food Bank delivers crisis food parcels to clients living in Holbeck and Beeston following referrals from a professional agency. We are available Monday to Friday to do delivers to any addresses that are within LS11.

To make a referral please download the referral form by clicking the icon which will take you through to the Holbeck Foodbank. Referrals can only be made by e-mail and you will receive a quick response with details of delivery.

All referrals received between 9am-4pm Monday-Friday will be delivered with within 24 hours. Weekend referrals may take longer.

3) Right Choices Food Bank

Right Choices Food Bank is a city wide service, however, is based in Headingley Leeds and is run solely by volunteers.

We open the food bank on a Wednesdays between the hours of 1.30 pm and 2.45 pm. We also provide a delivery service to the most vulnerable people within our community areas we deliver to LS2 to LS6.

4) Otley Food Bank

Otley Food Bank opened in December 2013. We serve Otley and surrounding areas (interpreted flexibly, including Pool, Leathley, Farnley, Guiseley, Menston and Burley). Any voluntary or statutory agency can fill out a voucher for someone in crisis and collect 3 days’ food for a client in the locality during our opening hours or by arrangement. We have 2 helpline numbers which are on call during the day. If necessary we can usually deliver food parcels.

To make a referral contact us on: Mobile: 07464 974993 or 07776 079321

5) Wetherby District Foodbank

Wetherby District Foodbank is a Trussell Trust seeded Foodbank, opened in October 2014. We have a Distribution Centre in Barleyfields Road, Wetherby and a Warehouse on the Thorp Arch Industrial Estate. We are run entirely by volunteers, and seek to reach into the rural villages in the local area. At present we are collecting more food than we have Clients, and have therefore been able to assist other Foodbanks in Leeds and the surrounding area with provisions.

Barleyfields Community Centre (opens Tuesdays 10:00 – 11:30, Fridays 10:00 – 11:30 and Saturdays 10:30 – 12:30, Barleyfields Road, LS22 6PN

FOOD PANTRIES

Food pantries operate by enabling vulnerable people to pay approximately £3.50 a week to receive approximately £15 of fresh food each week. This is supplied by organisations such as FareShare Yorkshire and Rethink Food.

Some operate independently whereas others are run in partnership with larger organisations like Church Action on Poverty:

1) InterACT

Meanwood Community Centre, Stainbeck Avenue, LS7 2QU

2) Pudsey Community Project

Fartown, Pudsey, LS28 8LP

3) Vineyard Church Leeds

Vineyard House, Bennett Road, LS6 3HN

4) Hope Pantry

Located in Osmondthorpe

5) Zarach Food Pantry

Bridge Community Church, Rider Street, LS9 7BQ

6) Leeds African Communities Trust Food Pantry

Little London Community Centre, Oatland Lane, Leeds, LS7 1SR

7) Health for All Pantry

Tenants Hall, Acre Cl, Middleton, Leeds LS10 4HX

8) Holbeck Together

99 Domestic Street, Leeds, LS11 9NS

9) Kirkstall Valley

St Andrew’s Church, 28 Oak Drive, LS16 5HB

10) LS14 Trust

45 Ramshead Hill, Seacroft, Leeds, LS14 1BT

11) Pudsey Community Project

Carlisle Road, LS28 8LP

12) Ground Works

Merlyn Rees Avenue, Morley, Leeds, LS27 9SL

13) St Vincent’s Centre

4 Berking Avenue, Leeds, LS9 9LF