If the cost of living crisis is making it difficult for you to afford to buy food, the following 10 top food banks in the North West can help.
1. Manchester Central Food Bank
The Manchester Central Food Bank in Manchester was started in 2013 by students from the Manchester Universities Catholic Chaplaincy who sought to become more involved in fighting hunger in their community. This foodbank is open three days a week to distribute non-perishable food items designed to last up to three days to recipients who have received a food voucher from a referring agency. Any special dietary will be assessed during your first visit.
You can volunteer or donate online. Get in touch with someone if you need to know more about their processes or how you can contribute further.
2. Compassion Food Bank
In 2006, the Church of God of Prophecy recognized that there was a great need for help with food insecurity in the Manchester community. Members of the congregation formed the Compassion Food Bank. This faith-based organisation provides a shopping-style food pantry as well as two monthly free meals that are open to the public. By working with FareShare of Greater Manchester, they can reach more people affected by hunger.
If you want to donate or volunteer, you can do so through the church. Contact a member of the church staff with any questions.
3. Blackpool Food Bank
When Neil Reid founded Blackpool Food Bank in 2012, he had higher ambitions than just feeding the hungry in his area. Rather than focusing on direct distribution, this food bank instead concentrates its efforts on gathering food from a variety of sources and providing them to smaller food banks and soup kitchens in the Blackpool area. They warehouse food that has been reclaimed or donated, as well as purchasing in bulk for further distribution to other programs.
Get on board with this mission by volunteering or donating. You can get in touch with someone directly if you require more information.
4. Amazing Graze
If you are looking for a hot meal in Blackpool, then Amazing Graze, a soup kitchen founded by Mark Butcher more than a decade ago, is the place for you. Originally set up as a place for the homeless to enjoy a freshly prepared meal and share some community, recent economic decline has resulted in a greater dependence from those who are housed and employed. Everyone who arrives is afforded a meal and a box of non-perishable donations to take home if desired.
Volunteer or donate to support this worthy cause. You can contact a member of the staff via the information on their webpage.
5. South Liverpool Food Bank
South Liverpool Food Bank was formed in 2008 by a group of churches and residents in Liverpool who sought to make a difference in their community by tackling food poverty. Recipients who have been referred by an agency can make an appointment to visit the food bank and exchange their voucher for a three-day supply of tinned foods and dry goods. Volunteers will package food in plastic carrier bags. They’ll even give you a warm cuppa and a biscuit while you wait.
You can become a part of the team by volunteering or you can donate. You can reach out to someone if you need to know more.
6. Knowsley Food Bank
If you have fallen victim to food poverty in Liverpool, the Knowsley Food Bank is there to help you. Founded in 2011 as part of The Trussell Trust, this food bank helps thousands keep food on their tables every year. In a time of increasing need and decreasing funds, they continue to work hard at reclaiming food waste, securing donations, and purchasing bulk quantities to pass on as pre-packed carrier bags of food destined for the cabinets of those in need.
You can lend a hand as a volunteer or you can donate. If you need more information, get in contact with the food bank’s staff.
7. Warrington Food Bank
Founded by Birchwood Community Church in 2012, the Warrington Food Bank has continued to embrace the needs of Warrington residents by providing for their nutritional needs. Roughly 20 percent of the UK population live below poverty lines and are dependent on food banks to supplement their home food supply. The volunteers at this charity organisation will guide them through sign-up and distribution of carrier bags filled with the foods they require.
Donate or volunteer if you would like to join in their efforts to feed the hungry. You can reach out to someone if you want to learn more about their program.
8. Friends of Meadowside
Mark and Helen Davies established Friends of Meadowside in 2018 to combat hunger in their community. This non-profit charity not only provides hot meals to those who arrive at their soup kitchen seeking nutrition, but they also send recipients away with a box or bag of supplemental non-perishable food to help with meals during times when their free kitchen isn’t open. Deliveries are sometimes available for those who are homebound.
Join the fight against hunger in Meadowside by volunteering or donating. Please contact a member of the staff to learn more.
9. Carlisle Food Bank
If you find yourself short of food, you can turn to the Carlisle Food Bank for assistance. Local solicitor Rachael Mary Rodway founded the charity in 2012 with help from friends at the Church of Scotland. Recipients can bring their food vouchers to the charity and exchange them for a three-day supply of groceries that includes tinned and dry packaged foods. Volunteers work with each person to tailor the food choices to their needs and preferences as much as possible.
You can become a part of the solution with a donation of funds or your time. If you would like to get in contact with the food bank directly, you’ll find the information on their website.
10. St. James Food Bank
The St. James Food Bank is an outreach created by St. James Church in Carlisle. The program was developed by members of the church to tackle food poverty in their community. They are open six days each week to distribute emergency supplies of food that include tinned meats, vegetables, and fruit, along with dry goods and juices meant to sustain families who need the supplemental items to stretch their existing food budget further.
Get involved or donate if you’d like to be a part of this outreach. You can contact someone if you want to discover more.
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