Get Food Support

There are a range of different places that provide emergency food support in Liverpool, such as foodbanks and crisis meal providers.

What is a foodbank?

Foodbanks give out free, nutritionally balanced emergency food parcels to support people over a couple of days.  

They also often offer advice to help people maximise their incomes, as well as practical support to people in crisis which helps to tackle the root causes of poverty. Many Emergency Food Providers, therefore, signpost people to other help such as employment support services, housing support, welfare support and money advice. 

Do you need a voucher to visit a foodbank? 

At some foodbanks, such as North Liverpool Foodbank network and South Liverpool Foodbank network which operate the Trussell Trust foodbank model, you may need a foodbank voucher which is given out by a referral organisation.

The best and easiest way to get a voucher is through an organisation that you are already being supported by (e.g. housing associations, support workers or children’s centres).

If you aren’t being supported by any of these or find yourself in an unexpected emergency, the following organisations can provide help:

Other emergency food providers are open to anybody in need and operate on a self-referral model, such as Micah Liverpool and Ibijoke Children’s Foundation.

Please see below for a list of some of the emergency food providers in Liverpool.

How do foodbanks work? 

Food is donated by a range of different organisations and individuals.  

Food is sorted and packed by volunteers or staff.  

People in a crisis are either referred by professionals or self-refer to receive food support.

People collect their food parcel from a local foodbank

What food is provided? 

Emergency food providers give out various food items such as tinned soups, rice and pasta. Some also provide fresh fruit and vegetables. Although there may be different items available each week depending on what has been donated, they always provide staple items.   

Emergency food providers try to make sure they give people a nutritious and balanced food parcel. Food parcels do vary in size depending on the organisation but many provide three days worth of food for a household.  

Some emergency food providers may also give out extra items such as toilet roll, toothpaste and nappies. These items can also change each week depending on what has been donated.  

When should emergency food support be used? 

If you are experiencing a crisis and need short-term emergency food in order to ensure your household can eat, you should visit their local foodbank/crisis meal provider alongside seeking further appropriate crisis support such as housing, welfare, employment or money advice.  

If you are not in an emergency crisis but need regular support with your weekly food shop, a community food space – such as a pantry or community food hub – may be more suited to you.

Please click here for more information on Community Food Spaces.  

Emergency food providers in Liverpool

There are lots of emergency food providers located around the city to help support people, including: 

North Liverpool Foodbank Network 

In order to obtain a voucher or voucher code, you will need to go through the usual support agencies such as Citizens Advice Liverpool, your GP, a health visitor or a social worker. Details about each foodbank location, as well as their opening days and times, can be found here. 

In some foodbanks, St Andrew’s Money Angels support is offered by a trained team of specialist advisers.

South Liverpool Foodbank 

In order to obtain a voucher or voucher code, you will need to go through the usual support agencies such as Citizens Advice Liverpool, your GP, a health visitor or a social worker. Details about each foodbank location, as well as their opening days and times, can be found here. 

Micah Liverpool 

Details about Micah’s emergency food aid can be found here. 

New Beginnings Improving Lives CIC (Filling the Gap Foodbank) 

Filling the Gap Foodbank is an emergency food provision for families and individuals in crisis who have gained a referral via a professional. Deliveries take place on a Wednesday and a Friday, aiming to provide support to those who are unable to attend a regular foodbank due to their physical or mental health. The Filling the Gap Foodbank also supports those who do not have a local foodbank near them or who are unable to attend a walk-in foodbank for any other reason. 

You must have been referred by a professional to access this service: this includes MPs, a Ward Councillor, a Link Worker, a CPN, a school, the Housing Association, a church, a GP, a Nurse/Community Nurse, Citizens Advice, Life Rooms and a Rehabilitation/Probation Officer. 

Details about The Filling the Gap Foodbank can be found here.

L6 Centre 

Details about the L6 Foodbank can be found here.

Gold House, Hope For All 

Details about Hope For All’s emergency food support can be found here. Click here to contact them or visit 170 Kensington, Liverpool, L7 2RJ . 

The Ibijoke Foundation 

The Ibijoke Foundation provides emergency food parcels to vulnerable people in the community on Tuesday and Friday between 10am – 1pm.  

For more information, please visit their website here.

Scouse in the House

Scouse in the House operates in Christ Church, Walton Breck Road. They provide meals for everyone on a Thursday from 12pm.

For more information, please click here.

The Whitechapel Centre

The Whitechapel Centre offers housing and homeless support, with capacity to provide emergency food parcels to those actively using their services. They are open 365 days a year, providing services to rough sleepers, people living in temporary accommodation and those at risk of becoming homeless.

For more information, please visit their website here.