17 April 2021

The Food Bank can only operate with the support of our volunteers who work tirelessly to help those in need, and who give their time in sorting donations, filling food bags, driving for us, storing & delivering emergency food bags, and running our food collection points across the city.

Thank you to all our donors (both individuals and organisations) for their generosity in giving food and money. We are especially grateful at such a challenging time. 

A huge thanks to you all for your continued support.  

Welcome from the Chair

Hi,

In 2019, we gave out 12,000 bags of emergency food. In 2020, the figure increased by 67% to 20,000 bags.

The April budget, which extended furlough and the £20 per week uplift in Universal Credit for six months, has in effect just moved the cliff edge for many people down the line to the autumn.  As a result, and with the impact of Brexit (job losses and higher food prices) expected to bite, we are expecting a challenging time later in the year without a more socially-committed government strategy.

Graham 

Graham Walker

Acting Chair

Calling all regular donors: A note about Gift Aid

A huge note of thanks to all our supporters who donate regularly via direct debit or standing order. Many donors have completed a Gift Aid form, which allows us to claim an additional 25% from HMRC, potentially increasing our income by £5,000 per year. 

There are, however, quite a few regular donors who have not completed a Gift Aid form. 
 
If you are a regular (or occasional) donor and are a UK resident and UK tax payer, and have not already completed a Gift Aid form, please can we ask you to do so? You can find the form on our website here.

Bradford Festival Choral Society raises over £900 for the Food Bank

Bradford Festival Choral Society has contributed over £900 to the Food Bank, following two successful online concerts at the end of last year. 

Thank you for all your support!

Please check out the beautiful concerts on the Society's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/bradfordfestivalchoralsociety

What a picture!

Big thanks to local artist Darcey Charlesworth who kindly donated the money raised by an auction of her fantastic painting of Sir Captain Tom Moore to the Food Bank. Here's her story:

"My name is Darcey Charlesworth and I am a Fashion Buying & Merchandising student at Manchester Metropolitan University. I found myself with some spare time whilst studying online from Menston so my dad commissioned me to paint a picture and I rediscovered my love for art.

My mum brought the GQ magazine to show me the image of Sir Captain Tom and I decided to challenge myself and paint it. I was inspired by the patriotic colours that represent our nations unity during the pandemic.

I set up a Facebook Fundraiser page to launch the auction and received £90 in donations. As well as spreading the word on social media, I was interviewed on BBC Radio Bradford and Leeds and the story was published in The Telegraph & Argus and The Ilkley Gazette. The buzz created through the publicity spread the auction to 1600 viewers, 13 watchers and 7 bidders.

After 24 bids the painting was sold to a local bidder from Ilkley for £122. I was thrilled with the result of the auction and I hope the money brings relief to those in need".

Young entrepreneur shares profits with Food Bank

Website for food help across Bradford

A reminder that there is now a website that provides users with information about where to get help with food throughout the city.

The site includes information for people needing emergency food, for those on a low income, and for those who are homeless. It also provides information about volunteering and donating.
 

The website, which includes information about Bradford Metropolitan Food Bank, is available at https://bradfordfoodbanks.org.uk/

About the Food Bank

Bradford Metropolitan Food Bank (BMFB) was set up in 2004, with Company status coming around 2006, followed by charitable status. Our objective has always been to alleviate poverty across the Bradford district through the provision of food to those in need. The Food Bank is run by a committee of volunteers.

In its first year, BMFB gave out 1500 bags of food. We now give out well over 1600 bags per month. 

Provision of Food
BMFB operates a system of providing food to those in need through registered partners. We are different from most other food banks in that we do not supply food directly.  The partners assess needs and collect packed bags of food from the Food Bank each week to give out to people to alleviate food poverty.
The amount of donated food is never enough to meet needs so BMFB also purchases food, using financial donations from individuals and organisations.
The content of each food bag is based upon advice from nutritionists.  We estimate that one food bag will supply one person for 3 days.   

If you are in need of a food parcel, please be aware we cannot give out parcels direct to individuals. Please ask any professional working with you eg teacher, minister, housing worker.

For up-to-date information about where to get emergency food near to you, please visit https://bradfordfoodbanks.org.uk/

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If you are a professional organisation already working with vulnerable people to support them overcome food poverty - and you need food bags from us - please fill in the contact form on our website. We will send you our process and ask you to complete a registration form.

How you can help