Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central is launching a Food Drive weekend on 31 March and 1 April across the City to address food poverty. After the success of November’s Warm Weekend campaign, which received over 2500 donations of warm clothing and raised over £1800, Rachael is looking to build upon the York Together initiative – this time helping address food insecurity.

Food bank use is on the rise nationally, as well as in York, around 13,500 York households are expected to have experienced food insecurity in the last year alone and with the majority of foodbanks having reported a drop in food donations since April 2022, the need has never been greater.

The event will be held on 31 March and 1 April and is asking for residents of York to donate dried, canned and any non perishable items at one of the 4 locations across York which will be distributed to community food banks across York.  The drop-off points for donations are Central Methodist Church in Saviourgate, York Explore, Acomb, Southlands Methodist Church in Bishopthorpe and St Hilda’s Church in Tang Hall and will be open from 10am until 3pm on Friday 31 March and Saturday 1 April 2023.  The York Central MP is working with local community food banks to then re-distribute the goods donated.

Rachael Maskell MP says:
“I am hoping that people of York will be as generous as they are able to help replenish the stocks of York’s foodbanks. York Together is built on a simple principle that if you can help, give and if you have need, receive. With the ever-rising cost of living crises, so many people in York are in need of food, however the foodbanks are running low due to the sharp rise in need, and so my York Together weekend will help people across our city at their time of need.

“According to the latest figures from City of York Council, the number of households living in absolute poverty is estimated to be nearly 16,000. With food share donations having decreased in the last year I am urging residents to donate any non perishable and unused hygiene goods to the Food Drive Weekend. If you are able to buy a few extra items with your weekly shopping and donate them at one of our venue across the city, it will go a long way to help with the challenge many families are facing.

“We are hoping that much like our Warm Weekend campaign, our food drive will be successful and benefit those in need.