If you're struggling to pay for food, free independent benefits and money advice and support is available for all residents, covering benefits, debts and employment.
A range of support with food is also available; see information about:
- Household Support Fund
- York Financial Assistance Scheme
- Free school meals
- Holiday Activities and Food
- York Fuel and Food Voucher Scheme
- York Foodbank
- Community food banks
Household Support Fund
The government has provided additional funding for the Household Support Fund (HSF) for financially vulnerable families. The aim is that the HSF should primarily be used to support households in the most need with food, energy and water bills.
York Financial Assistance Scheme
York Financial Assistance Scheme (YFAS) provides emergency food help to local people.
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.
Holiday Activities and Food
A range of holiday activity schemes will be available for children and young people during the Christmas, Easter and Summer school holidays. Details of events and activities can be found on the Holiday Activities and Food Raise York webpage. The sessions will include a variety of fun activities, including sports, music, arts and other exciting opportunities to learn and develop skills, alongside a nutritious meal each day. They are being provided to targeted children as part of the government’s expanded Holiday Activities and Food programme which is being delivered across the City of York area.
York Fuel and Food Voucher Scheme
Fuel and food vouchers are available to York residents as part of advice and support services and where people have immediate need.
Services will discuss the best options for people depending on their circumstances. This may be an appointment or referral to another service.
Applications to our York Fuel and Food Voucher Scheme are considered as part of the advice and support services; and people will need to provide confirmation of their circumstances.
See details of advice and support services in York.
If people need assistance with food, but do not want to contact a support service, or this is not appropriate, other support is available from:
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 General Store | Spark York, Piccadilly, York, YO1 9PB | Wednesday and Saturday from 9.00am |
| 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 | Wednesday, 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.