This information guide lets you know about food banks, food aid and community dinners in Leeds this Christmas. It also lists places where you can get discounted food.

Food banks in Leeds

Leeds North and West Foodbank

They will be closed during Bank Holidays (Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day). To find out more about what they offer, please visit their website: https://leedsnorthandwest.foodbank.org.uk/get-help/

Leeds South and East Foodbank

Their locations’ opening times vary, whilst you need to make a referral and have a voucher issued by local agencies to access their services.

More information on how their services can help you is on their website: https://leedssouthandeast.foodbank.org.uk/

There are other food banks working in specific areas of Leeds. Here are links to them, where you can check out how to get help from them and access food aid:

Leeds Food Aid Network have details of other food banks across the city, including contact details and information on how to access them. It is available here: https://leedsfoodaidnetwork.co.uk/food-banks/

Food aid in Leeds

There are some organisations in Leeds providing food aid at Christmas, including emergency parcels:

  • St Vincent’s Leeds – an emergency last resort service for people in extreme need
  • St Aidan’s Church, Harehills – a drop-in open on Saturdays from 10:30am-12 Noon – email [email protected] or call 0775 445 0967
  • Salvation Army in Leeds Central and Morley – they provide food parcels
  • Rainbow Junktion – All Hallows pay as you feel café – they run a pay as you feel community café on some dates, as well as other services

A list with details of other services providing food parcels and other emergency food aid is on the Leeds Food Aid Network website. You can also find food aid for anyone experiencing homelessness.

Community Dinners

Rainbow Junktion are running a community dinner on Christmas Day from 12 Noon-3pm at All Hallows Church, 24 Regent Terrace. Leeds LS6 1NP. It’s free and open to people in Leeds who are either alone at Christmas and/or struggling to afford to have dinner at home.

St George’s Crypt have a Christmas Lunch for homeless people in Leeds. More information about what it involves is on their website.

Bishop Young C of E Academy in Seacroft are holding a community dinner on Thursday 18th December. It’s open at 5:30pm, free to attend and open to everybody. More information, including a booking link, is available on their website.

On the Leeds Food Aid Network website, there is information on food drop-ins for people in Leeds who are struggling: Food Drop-Ins in Leeds

Discounted food

In the run-up to Christmas, many supermarket chains will be selling vegetables for discounted prices – in some instances, for less than 20p. They include potatoes, parsnips, carrots and brussels sprouts.

Supermarkets doing this include Tesco, Morrisons, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Aldi and Lidl. To be sure, please check your local supermarket’s website.

Community Shop in Swarcliffe is for people living nearby who are on means-tested benefits. More information on membership and how to join is here: Community Shop.

On the Leeds Food Aid Network website, there are details about pantries offering discounted food for people who need it the most. You can find it here: Pantries in Leeds.