We have always provided food for those in need, but we went into overdrive during the pandemic. So many people needed support and we were happy to work with other community groups to provide it.
The Foodbank has become the fifth emergency service for many residents; it is a commitment to the community which provides a regular supply of food, so that people don’t have to choose between eating and heating.
There is no stigma attached to this service, which brings together people from all walks of life.
The Brickworks foodbank relies on donations and the generous support of local residents, supermarkets, businesses, charities and community organisations. A big thank-you to all concerned: your support has been amazing.
If you would like to donate to our food bank, please click on the gofundme link below.
If you need help from the foodbank, please complete the registration form at the bottom of this page and provide proof of address and income. If you are eligible, we provide one food parcel per week. Foodbank opening times: Wednesday 12 noon-3pm.
Please note: We only provide food parcels to local area post codes from N4 4BY.
Alongside food parcels, we aim to provide the following household items, and would be grateful for any donations:
Non-essential items:
- Toiletries – deodorant, toilet paper, shower gel, shaving gel, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, tooth paste, hand wipes.
- Household items – laundry liquid detergent, laundry powder.
- Feminine products – sanitary towels and tampons.
- Baby supplies – nappies and baby wipes
Essential items:
- Soup
- Pasta
- Sugar
- Rice
- Tinned tomatoes/ pasta sauce
- Lentils, beans and pulses
Tinned fish - Tinned meat
- Tea/coffee
- Tinned fruit
- Biscuits
- Tinned soups and stew
- UHT milk
- Fruit juice
- Baked beans
- Jam
- Peanut butter
- Tinned vegetables
Before donating, please check to see what we are currently most in need of – and ensure that anything you donate is within its sell-by date. If you need other forms of help:
Debt advice
Mental health support
Benefits guidance
Mrs C and her family have been coming to the foodbank for a year.
She was having problems paying the bills for a family of 8 as well as making sure the family was properly fed.
We provided a wrap-around service which enabled her to speak about her life story and the overwhelming problems she was facing.
We also pointed her to other sources of information in the borough.
We provided the family with all the items they needed and helped them over Christmas.
Help from the foodbank has given Mrs C the time to train as an optometrist and working with the public has restored her confidence and given her and her family hope for the future.
Mr O came to see us after he lost his job at the start of covid. He had worked in the fashion industry for a number of years.
He was in shock at this sudden turn of events and needed immediate help and support.
“The foodbank, and the support shown from all the team, has greatly helped my wellbeing during covid and has been an immense help to me.“There is always a warm welcome from the staff and the foodbank has also helped me greatly in my being able to have nourishing food at home to keep me healthy. During a very difficult period I have encountered of late, I have found the support of the staff and foodbank team to be more than accommodating in helping me to regain my confidence and self-esteem.”
“So much, emotionally, keeps me feeling as if I have family with me (giving me strength). For the first time since I’ve come to this country, I feel I have had back-up. The foodbank is so helpful (I am on benefits). It’s like the sun’s come out. Real help.”
“The foodbank has been useful to us over this time and especially during lock down. I was on the furlough scheme. It has been a very good source of extra food.”
“If I didn’t come to the foodbank, I would have starved. Thank you so much.”
“The food bags helped me feel less stress about what we were going to eat and how I was going to get healthy food for my children.”
Mr N has been attending the foodbank for about a year and a half; he receives essential items for himself, his wife and his 5 children. We have also been able to provide Halal products. As a foodbank we have been able to provide meal ideas for the children and also encouraged them to cook together and to try new tastes and flavours for all the family.
Mr N says that over the half term the extra food was very much needed because the children were home a lot more and were eating more too.
To make sure the children had some special gifts able we were to give the family a Christmas sack with books, sweets, toys and goodies for all the family.
We have been able to develop a really good relationship with Mr N and his family and will continue to give them the support they need; it has been great to get to know them all.