Leicestershire food banks

Several food banks across the area provide assistance to Leicestershire families that are facing a crisis. There are churches that partner with Trussell Trust as well as not-for-profit organisations such as the Leicester Charity Link. Volunteers from the area as well as donations from the community and local supermarkets help keep the emergency food banks operating, but additional support is always needed.

The main locations in the area are noted below. In order to get help from a foodbank, the applicant will need to have a voucher from a local care professional. This can be from individuals such as a social worker, doctor, or the local CAB which is at 87 Belvoir Rd, Coalville, or call 844 417 1025.

The assistance provided from each centre will usually be a parcel worth up to 3 days of items, such as soup, milk, biscuits, rice, and other items. Some food boxes will contain non-perishable items, and others will have fruits, vegetables and similar goods. Even nappies for babies may be available in Leicestershire.

The main Trussell Trust centre is at Margaret Street Church, which is post of Margaret Street in Coalville. They collect non-perishable items such as pasta, tinned meats, and other goods from a few collection points in Leicestershire. Individuals with a voucher can receive a free parcel of food. Call 01530 838355.

Collection points have been set up by this organisation to collect for the needy. The locations include New Life Church, which is open Tuesday and Friday. Greenhill community Church is another partner, and the address is Chanborough Road, Coalville LE67 4SF.

Vouchers or referrals to a foodbank may be provided by the Leicester council. This is provided as part of their crisis grant scheme, and is only for people that are local to the city. There is an application process in place for this welfare benefit, but the council does try to provide food or other forms of assistance such as furniture to families that are facing some form of emergency as part of the Leicester crisis grant scheme.

Leicestershire County Welfare Scheme – This government programme will help with both planned and emergency needs. If a resident is in a crisis, then they may be elegible for a grant for a few day supply of food. Or if the Leicestershire family knows of a future crisis that may occur, then the council can take steps to address any future need for groceries, food, or other support. Find how the Leicestershire Welfare Provision can help.

Information on other food banks

There are several other foodbanks in the region, and they are below. Most of these charities will also require a voucher or referrals from another government agency.

Holy Trinity Church provides food to the homeless as well as debt advice. The Leicester charity is part of the Leicestershire regional Triangle Homeless Project. It provides basic needs such as clothing, tinned groceries, hot meals, and other assistance. Find information from the Triangle Project at Holy Trinity Church.

Hope Community Church has a family centre that runs community projects, and this will include distributing free food. The volunteers provide many services to the needy, including to older people or the vulnerable. The address is at Deveron Way, Hinckley, Leicestershire, LE10 0XD. Telephone 07542 118 878.

Residents of the city of Leicester can seek help at FareShare. This is an organisation that provides surplus food to other charities, however they can offer referrals to families on a low income. The address is Coventry Road, and FareShare can be called at 0116 286 7735.

Two other churches to try are St Paul’s (Leicester Street, Leamington Spa, CV32 4TE) as well as Trinity Close, which is at Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, LE65 2GQ. Both may have parcels in a crisis, offer signposting, and other support services to families in poverty.

Meadows Community Church provides enough food that can last for up to 3 days from their centre in Leicestershire. The volunteers at the church also provide additional support to clients. They signpost people to services across Leicester that can not only help families in poverty get food but also address other debt as well as financial matters. Read more on the help provided by Meadows Community Church to Leicester and Wigston residents.

Salvation Army of Leicester has a cafe open Monday to Friday that serves low cost meals, drinks, and food. There are also Christmas meals held as well as small presents given to children from the Appeal Service. This centre also works closely with the Trussell Trust in the county to provide vouchers to families that are food insecure, and find more details on Leicester Salvation Army schemes.

Leicester Charity Link is a charity that provides free food when a family is threatened by a crisis, and the charity can provide other support too. They have everything from beds to cookers that individuals can use to prepare their own hot meals.

The not-for-profit partners with many other charities and organisations that are local to Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, as well as the Rutland area. They both use them to collect food, clothing and other items as well as distribute the goods to the low income and people in poverty, including children.

Applicants need to have a referral to Charity Link, and in a crisis, the organisation may assist the applicant in the same day they seek it. Not only may food be provided, but people can be signposted to other local schemes or government benefits. The aim is to address the crisis and help the family gain stability. The charity is at 20a Millstone Lane, Leicester, LE1 5JN, or call 0116 222 2200.