If you're struggling to pay for food, free independent advice and support about social welfare issues is available for all residents, covering benefits, debts and employment.
A range of support with food is also available; see information about:
- free school meals
- York food voucher scheme
- York Financial Assistance Scheme (YFAS)
- York Foodbank
- community food banks
Free school meals
You may be entitled to apply for free school meals for your children if you receive 1 of the qualifying income-related benefits.
York food voucher scheme
If you're struggling to pay your food bills ask your Support Worker about food vouchers which are available as part of advice and support about social welfare issues they offer.
York Financial Assistance Scheme (YFAS)
York Financial Assistance Scheme (YFAS) provides emergency food help to local people.
York Foodbank
York Foodbank work with us, and over 150 agencies (such as Citizens Advice, housing support officers, children’s centres, health visitors, social services, charities, community groups, statutory bodies, schools, the Police, and medical experts) who all can issue Foodbank vouchers.
Once you have a voucher, you can then exchange it at one of the Foodbank locations for a food parcel, specific to your needs.
Food parcels contain 3 days worth of essentials, typically including: breakfast cereals, soup, pasta, rice, pasta sauce, tinned beans, tinned meat, tinned vegetables, tinned fruit, tea or coffee, biscuits and snacks.
Each Foodbank has a cafe-style environment and is staffed by non-judgemental people who want to support people, and can offer practical advice and guidance.
Community food banks
Community food banks are organised by local community groups and offer a variety of support.
| Community food bank details | Address | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|
| The Collective Sharehouse | Clements Hall, Nunthorpe Road, York, YO23 1BW | Tuesday and Friday, 9.15am to 11.00am, and Wednesday 5.00 to 6.00pm |
| I Am Reusable | Aldborough Way, York, YO26 4UX | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 10.00am to 5.00pm |
| Tang Hall Community Centre | Fifth Avenue,York, YO31 OUG | Wednesday, 11.00am to 12.30pm |
| Luke's Larder | St Luke's Church Hall, Burton Stone Lane, Clifton, York, YO30 6DG | Wednesday, 12.30pm to 1.30pm |
| York Travellers Trust | 20 Falsgrave Crescent, Clifton, York, YO30 7AZ | Monday, 10.30am to 12.30pm* |
| Lidgett Methodist Church | Wheatlands Grove, Acomb, York, YO26 5NH | Tuesday and Friday, from 9.00am |
| Door 84, Youth and Community Centre | Lowther Street, The Groves, York, YO31 7LX | Friday, 11.00am to 1.00pm |
| Haxby Foodshare Project (email: foodshare@haxbymemorialhall.co.uk or telephone: 07989193758) | Haxby Memorial Hall, 16 The Village, Haxby, York, YO32 3HT | Wednesday, 11.00am to 1.30pm and Friday, 12.20pm to 2.00pm |
| BellFarm BCA/BSH Foodbank (telephone: 01904 655934 for emergencies) | BellFarms Social Hall, Roche Avenue, York, YO31 9BB | Weekdays, 12.00pm to 4.00pm and Saturday, 12.00pm to 4.00pm |
*York Travellers Trust’s ‘Public Living Room’ is open from 10.30am until 2.30pm Monday to Wednesday where anyone can drop in for a free cup of tea or coffee and a chat.