Below is some information on current food provision in Horsforth and wider Leeds. It will be updated as more services reopen post Covid. If you need a referral for a food bank or emergency food parcel, you can call Leeds Welfare Support Scheme on 0113 3760330.
Horsforth Community Café
Mondays 10am-2pm at St Margaret’s Church. Open to everyone.
Aims: to reduce food waste, feed hungry people, and build community
How it works: the café gets food from local stores, restaurants and individuals that otherwise would go to landfill. It is run entirely by volunteers, with profit going to local charities and projects. Pay as you feel either by giving money or volunteering.
How you can help:
- On a Monday – volunteer preparing, cooking, serving, washing up
- Throughout the week – collecting the food
- Donate surplus food (e.g. from an event or that you have grown)
For more information, go the the Horsforth Community Cafe Facebook page.
Butcher Hill Community Pantry
How it works: people are referred to the pantry and become members. The pantry helps customers to reduce their shopping bills as they pay £3.50 a week and can choose around £15 worth of food. Customers can also be signposted to further support they may need. The pantry currently has enough volunteers.
Wider Leeds
Trussell Trust Foodbanks
How it works: people are referred to the foodbank and receive a 3-day emergency food parcel. They can also be signposted to relevant support to tackle the root causes of poverty. Food is mainly donated by the public.
How you can help:
- Volunteer at a foodbank
- Donate food (must be in date and non-perishable)
More information, including what and how to donate, can be found on the Leeds North and West Foodbank website. Please note, the Horsforth site is not currently open.
Hidden Homeless Leeds
Hidden Homeless provide hot meals and food pack ups, along with other essential items, to people who are homeless or in hostels. Outreaches are in Leeds city centre on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. This project is in need of volunteers and donations. More information can be found here, or on the Hidden Homeless Leeds Facebook page.
Other resources
The Leeds Food Aid Network brings together those tackling food poverty in Leeds. Their website includes a food provision map (and list) showing food provision across Leeds and how people can get involved.