WLD has compiled a list of places where you can find help if you are in need.
Food pantry makes difference in Kirkstall Valley
By Emily Carlill
During the Covid pandemic Kirkstall Valley Development Trust worked as a food hub, providing crisis and emergency food parcels to individuals and families in need.
As Covid restrictions eased and we started to emerge from the pandemic, KVDT wanted to still offer the Kirkstall community an affordable, sustainable and dignified option when accessing food support.
After researching and visiting other schemes they settled on the Food Pantries model of provision.
The summer months saw volunteers and staff work hard to organise and set up this new provision and, in September 2021, the Butcher Hill Community Food Pantry opened as a partnership between Horsforth Community Assets Project (HCAP) and Kirkstall Valley Development Trust (KVDT), supporting residents in Horsforth and Kirkstall wards.
Butcher Hill Community Food Pantry, based in St Andrew’s Church in Hawksworth, is now open for people to become members and use this service.
Members pay £1 to join the scheme then £3.50 each week and choose at least 10 items worth more than £15 retail value, reducing shopping bills by up to £600 a year.
At Butcher Hill Community Food Pantry, in addition to shopping for food at an affordable price, it is an opportunity to meet the friendly staff and volunteers, get involved in and find out about KVDT services, workshops and events, and also find out about other support services.
Natasha Hamlet, Communications and Community Engagement at KVDT, said:
“The Food Pantry not only supports people with food provision, our aim is to provide a service that can help build relationship, providing relevant support or signposting to others services that may be needed.
“We want to develop our service, workshops and events based on the needs of the people we meet; we have organised an ‘access to employability’ course (also known as Flex course) for those who expressed and interest in this.
“We aim to develop a programme of workshops built around – and for – our members.”
Would you like to use this service? Contact the Food Pantry on 07990 119116 or e-mail butcherhillcommunitypantry@outlook.com.
Opening Times: The Food Pantry is open Tuesday 10am to 12pm and Wednesday 1pm to 3pm. The project aims to open Wednesday 5pm to 7pm in the near future.
For more information and enquiries, contact the Food Pantry on 07990 119116 or e-mail butcherhillcommunitypantry@outlook.com.
Community project covers Pudsey, Swinnow, Farsley, Calverley and Rodley
Pudsey Community Project is a charitable organisation started from Pudsey Parish Church to provide community, youth/children and poverty resources for Pudsey and the immediately surrounding area – and most recently co-ordinating support for the Pudsey community to deal with the Coronavirus pandemic.
Pudsey Foodbank is part of the project and welcomes food donations and new volunteers.
It is the foodbank for outer West Leeds and covers Pudsey, Swinnow, Farsley, Calverley, Woodhall, Tyersal and Rodley – some 20,000 households.
You can donate food to Pudsey Foodbank directly to its base at Pudsey Community Project at the corner of Fartown and Carlisle Road, LS28 8LP. It is open Monday to Saturday 10am-12noon, or via drop off partners:
- St John’s Church Hall, Farsley on Thursday 10am-12 noon.
- HOP estate agents, 10 Bradford Road, Stanningley.
- Farsley Celtic Women’s football matches.
Most common donation needs are: tinned meat and fish, baked beans, soup, jam/spreads, puddings (tinned sponge puddings, rice pudding, custard, cakes), biscuits/chocolate/treats, juice and cordial, kids’ cereal, sugar, tinned vegetables and tinned chopped tomatoes.
You can support them financially by giving at this link.
Contact naomi@pudseycommunity.org.uk or call 07553 504540 if you need any help.
Food store supports Armley and Wortley
The team at New Wortley Community Centre is here to help anyone living in Armley and New Wortley during these difficult times. The food store continues to provide emergency food parcels to support the local community.
It offers a number of recipes at £1.50 each and 10 items from the Food and Hygiene Store for £3.50. For even more of a bargain, buy five recipes and ten items for £10.
The centre, off Tong Road, also offers:
- Access to food parcels
- Access to hygiene products
- A friendly chat with a staff member or volunteer to help ease isolation
- Access to hot meals delivered to your door (charge applies).
If you need help, call 0113 376 0330 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. Outside these hours please call 0739 5943702 and leave a message.
The centre also offers other services like café, counselling, charity shop, and numerous groups.
How to get help from Leeds North and West Foodbank
In order to provide the most appropriate help for the circumstances of your situation Leeds North and West Foodbank works with local agencies.
If they feel you are struggling to put food on the table, they will issue you with a foodbank voucher. The local agency can also provide long term support if needed to help address some of the issues behind the reasons for your crisis.
Agencies include Citizens Advice, housing support officers, children’s centres, health visitors, social services and some local charities.
1. GET IN TOUCH
Call us and we can talk through your situation and put you in touch with a relevant local agency.
2. ARRANGE A VISIT TO THE REFERRAL AGENCY.
They will discuss your situation and supply you with a foodbank voucher where appropriate.
If you can’t afford food, you can call 0808 2082138 (freephone) to speak to a trained and independent Citizens Advice agent (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm). Alternatively, call 0113 376 0330 to speak to Leeds Local Welfare Support Scheme, who may be able to issue you with a food parcel if necessary.
3. BRING THE FOODBANK VOUCHER TO YOUR NEAREST FOODBANK CENTRE.
When you arrive, you’ll be welcomed with a warm drink and trained volunteers will chat with you about your situation. Any dietary needs will be discussed and you can exchange your foodbank voucher for a parcel of three days of emergency food.
They currently offer delivery to LS7, LS12, LS13, LS17, LS18 and LS28.
The foodbank is open for collection at:
- Woodhouse Distribution Centre on Mondays 11am to 1pm.
- Burley Distribution Centre on Tuesdays 10am to 12 noon.
- AND Ireland wood Distribution centre on Thursdays 10.30am-12.30pm.
Bramley Care Bears
Community organisation Bramley Care Bears run food distribution sessions at Bramley Community Centre on Sundays from 1pm to 2pm, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11am to 12pm.
More details on their Facebook group.