Bradford food bank on help and financial support available

When Catherine Ayomide Falyui started working at Feedo Needo, demand was so high that volunteers sometimes ran out of food parcels and donations.

But the lives of those who reached out for help in the early days of her volunteering efforts have turned around completely.

The food bank came to the rescue of one man who had lost his job and was struggling to feed his two daughters.

While keeping the family well-fed, he was helped into a good job. 

Just a few weeks ago, he dropped by the centre to make a donation of his own.

“He said this is his own way of giving back,” Catherine, Bradford project co-ordinator at Feedo Needo, said.

“He made us feel like we’re making a difference."

Catherine Ayomide Falyui with some of the donations recently made to the food bank (Image: Mike Simmonds) Based within the Woodroyd Centre, West Bowling, the food bank has become more than just a place for free emergency parcels. 

The doors are open for coffee mornings between Monday and Thursday every week.

It has become a haven for friendly chats, arts and crafts, a quick tea break, and even yoga on Wednesdays.

Donations recently made to the food bank (Image: Mike Simmonds) You can also connect with the centre’s outreach team who can tell you how you might benefit from different services and support.

“No two days are the same ever,” Catherine said.

“People are out of jobs. Some are also elderly who don’t have any support. By support I mean they don’t have any family members around.

"We have some people who are battling illnesses that are incapacitating them to the point they can’t work.

"We see people that are struggling, people that have sought asylum and made Bradford their home. We have people running from domestic abuse. There’s no one answer. 

“Asking for help is not a bad thing. Please reach out to us.”

'We're making a difference' 

Speaking about the food bank’s impact on people’s lives, she said: “The relief. When I first started for the first couple of months when I was still figuring it out and trying to find my footing, we had more service users than food. We had to turn some people away saying we don’t have any more food. It was very hard.

“The sorrow in some of their eyes, saying I came here with all the hope in the world, sometimes you can see the relief. I know most of my service users by name now. The relief, ‘something to tide me over until next Thursday, or when a miracle comes through for me’. We’re making a difference.

“It’s more than just food, it’s a community. We do a coffee morning for ladies. Ladies come in the centre every morning. We sit down and try engage them for their wellbeing, we try get some arts and crafts going for them as well. We raise conversations. Over this year during Ramadan one of the topics we did was healthy eating during Ramadan.”

Catherine wants people to see the food bank as a stepping stone to better times - leading you on the path to financial support or a job. 

“When you have a full belly it gives you clarity,” she said.

“When your stomach is full with food, solutions come easy.”

Support for people 

The Government recently announced a series of financial support available to struggling households and those receiving benefits. 

As the temperature drops this autumn and winter, Feedo Needo is one of many centres helping people access warm home discount, cold weather payments, and more.

The Warm Home Discount offers eligible households a one-time reduction of £150 on their energy bills between October and March.

From November 1, a £25 Cold Weather Payment can be given every seven-day period where the average temperature falls to zero degrees or below. 

This payment is available to individuals on certain low-income benefits until March 31, 2025.

The Household Support Fund could be worth up to £740 for some households facing financial hardship.

Meanwhile energy grants - up to £2,000 - are being offered by energy companies to individuals facing big costs. These grants can be used to write off energy debts or cover bill payments.

In a message to people across Bradford, Catherine said: “Ask for help. It doesn’t mean you’re weak, it doesn’t mean you’re less of a person. It just means you’re human.”

Individuals can self-refer for food on 07308 497335 or drop by the food bank every Thursday from 10am.