If you are struggling to afford food in the run-up to Christmas and/or are alone at this time of year, we have some useful information. In this guide, we list food banks that are open during the festive period, as well as where community Christmas dinners are taking place in Leeds.

Food banks in Leeds

  • Leeds North and West Foodbank
    • Address: Locations in Woodhouse, Ireland Wood, Burley and Moortown. Woodhouse and Ireland Wood are collection only
    • Opening dates/times: Woodhouse – Monday 11am-1pm; Ireland Wood – Thursdays 10:30am-12:30pm; Burley – Tuesdays 10am-12 Noon; Moortown – Wednesdays 11am-1pm. The foodbanks are open until Friday 22nd December and closed until Monday 2nd January 2024
    • Contact details: Email [email protected] or call 0113 269 2985
    • Website: https://leedsnorthandwest.foodbank.org.uk/
    • To access support from them, you need to get a voucher by using an online referral system – Foodbank Vouchers
  • Leeds South and East Foodbank
    • Address: Locations in Harehills, Beeston, Gipton, Morley, Seacroft. Hunslet, Halton, Rothwell, Osmondthorpe, Middleton and Belle Isle
    • Opening dates/times: Check the Locations page of their website for more details: Locations
    • Contact details: Email [email protected] or call 0113 277 2229
    • Website: https://leedssouthandeast.foodbank.org.uk/
    • To access support from them, you need to get a voucher by using an online referral system – Foodbank Vouchers
  • Holbeck Foodbank
    • Address: Not disclosed
    • Opening dates/times: Normally Monday to Friday
    • Contact details: email [email protected] for referrals or [email protected] for other enquiries.
    • Website: https://holbeckfoodbank.org.uk/
    • Delivery: They do deliveries to addresses in the LS11 area, from 10am-3pm when volunteers are available
    • To access support from them, you need to make a referral – forms are available on their website
  • Right Choices Foodbank
    • Address: Heart Centre, Headingley, Leeds LS6 3HN
    • Opening dates/times: Mondays – 11am-12:30pm
    • Contact details: Email [email protected] or call 07505 865 317
    • Referrals: Please note that self-referrals are not accepted. Referrals should be made by organisations and projects you are being supported by
    • Areas covered are LS2, LS3, LS4, LS5 and LS6
  • Wetherby and District Foodbank
    • Address: Barleyfields Community Centre, Barleyfields Road, Wetherby LS22 6PN
    • Opening dates/times: Tuesdays, 10am-11:30am; Fridays, 10am-11:30am; Saturdays, 10:30am-12:30pm
    • Contact details: Email [email protected] or call 08082 082 138
    • Website: https://wetherbyanddistrict.foodbank.org.uk/
    • To access support from them, you need to get a voucher by using an online referral system – Foodbank Vouchers
  • Otley Foodbank
    • Address: Spring Gardens Annex, Westborne Grove, Otley LS213LJ
    • Opening dates/times: Mondays, 11:30am-12:30pm; Thursdays, 9:30am-10:30am
    • Contact details: Call 07464 974993 or 07776 079321, or email [email protected]
    • Vouchers to be filled in by partner agencies and the client (you)
    • Deliveries can sometimes be arranged in the local area (LS21 postcode)

Details of other places running food banks and providing emergency food parcels are available on the Leeds Food Aid Network website at this link: Food banks in Leeds

Community Christmas dinners in Leeds

  • St George’s Crypt are open on Christmas Day at 12 Noon to provide lunch, company and a Christmas welcome to all:
    • Address: Great George Street, Leeds LS3 1BR
    • More information is available on their website: St George’s Crypt
  • Rainbow Junktion at All Hallows Church in Hyde Park are open as usual from the week beginning Monday 18th They are also open on Christmas Day from 12pm-3pm for anyone who is need of a Christmas dinner and cannot afford one
    • Address: All Hallows Church, 24 Regent Terrace, Hyde Park, Leeds
    • More information on the Christmas Day dinner is on their Facebook page: Rainbow Junktion at Christmas
  • There is a dinner for Care Leavers in Leeds aged between 18 and 25 who are alone at Christmas. It takes place on Christmas Day
  • Bishop Young Academy in Seacroft are running a Community Christmas dinner for local people on Wednesday 20th December

Useful tips for accessing food aid

Please note that food banks, pantries and other sources of food aid are usually very busy at this time of year. To ensure you get what you need, it’s worth visiting or referring in advance.

If you are attending a community Christmas dinner and want to make sure you get the same seat, it is worth contacting the venue in advance when booking and asking for that. While booking, it is possible to ask for any other reasonable adjustments you need.