By Liam O’Sullivan
Leeds North and West Foodbank, founded in 2013, has multiple centres open to the people of North and West Leeds. They provide boxes of food to those most in need of it, either by clients picking it up at the centre, or it being delivered.
The charity aim to help those in the most vulnerable positions. On their website, they state: “We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis.”
The food Leeds North and West Foodbank receive is donated by individuals, as well as schools, churches and businesses. Volunteers that work at the charity have the job of checking the food is in date before distributing it to clients.
How do I get help?
Leeds North and West Foodbank works slightly differently to other organisations. To earn a voucher which allows you to receive food from the foodbank, you have to be referred to by a local agency.
These are agencies partnered with Leeds North and West Foodbank, such as Citizen’s Advice and children’s centres.
What can I receive?
Once they identify you as someone that may need help getting food, they will offer you the chance to have a voucher which you can exchange for a minimum of three days of emergency food.
The food within the parcels distributed to clients usually includes:
- Breakfast cereals
- Soup
- Pasta
- Rice
- Pasta sauce
- Tinned beans
- Tinned meat
- Tinned fish
- Tinned vegetables
- Tinned fruit
- Tea
- Biscuits
- Snacks
Getting help
If you are someone who might need help from Leeds North and West Foodbank, you can contact Help through Hardship on 0808 2082138, where they can refer you to a local agency.
Collections
In West Leeds, the foodbanks are open for collection at:
- Burley Distribution Centre on Tuesdays 10am to 12pm
- Farnley Distribution Centre on Wednesdays 12pm to 2pm
You can also donate here.