Food poverty in South Leeds has become more apparent in recent weeks as families see a drop in their incomes due to furlough or unemployment. It is times like this that make our foodbanks a vital resource for our community.
The Trussell Trust Leeds South & East Foodbank at St Cross was recently closed after they moved to an online referral and delivery service only due to the current Covid-19 crisis, but local residents and parishioners alongside Father Andy Myers stood forward to keep this vital service available for direct access by the public.
St Cross Community Action will operate a food parcel collection service from St Cross Church, Acre Road, Middleton on Tuesdays 10am-12pm and Thursdays 11am-1pm. They will also offer to deliver food parcels to vulnerable members of the community who can’t get to them. All of this will run with social distancing measures in place and all volunteers are DBS checked.
Items most needed are:
- Tinned meat
- Tinned potatoes
- Tinned fish
- Long life milk
- Cereal
- All tinned vegetables
- Pasta
- Pasta sauces
- Rice
- Toilet rolls
- Nappies
Father Andy Myers stated:
“The St Cross foodbank is open this week as usual. Tuesday 10am-12noon and 11am-1pm, social distancing in place – we are here to help if we can.”
Local resident and community activist, Wayne Dixon, added
”If anyone can help, please drop items at the Vicarage behind the church (opposite Middleton Primary School on Middleton Park Avenue) or contact me to collect.”
Contact Wayne by email: wayne@waynedixon.co.uk or phone: 07852 311 717
The Trussell Trust made the below announcement on their Facebook Page;
Important Announcement
All of our Foodbank Centres are now closed. This is a TEMPORARY measure during the Covid-19 crisis.
If you are in need of an emergency food parcel, please contact your support worker in the first instance for an e-referral; if you do not have a support worker please contact one of the following numbers for an e-referral:
National Citizens Advice Helpline: 0808 208 2138 Freephone (Monday to Friday 10.00am to 4 pm)
Leeds City Council Local Welfare Support: (0113) 376 0330 Freephone (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and weekends 9am to 5pm).
Alternatively, please visit one of the following Community Hubs, where an advisor will make an e-referral to us on your behalf;
Dewsbury Road Community Hub, 190 Dewsbury Road, Leeds, LS11 6PF
The Compton Centre Community Hub, Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 7BG
City Centre Community Hub, Merrion House, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, LS2 8LX
Once you have an e-referral, we shall arrange for the delivery of an emergency food parcel to you directly, THIS IS ONLY A TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENT DURING LOCKDOWN, HOME DELIVERIES WILL NOT BE A PERMANENT FEATURE ONCE LOCKDOWN IS LIFTED.
Thank you and stay safe and well everyone – Leeds South and East Foodbank team
This post was written by Wayne Dixon
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