Also known as soup kitchens food drop ins provide a very substantial form of food aid provision in the city of Leeds. A significant proportion of the people they serve have experienced or are experiencing homelessness. Two of the main characteristics which drop ins have is that they are accessible without the need for a referral and often involve the serving of a meal or sandwich and/or soup.
Churches and Christian initiatives have been known for running and providing a suitable venue for this type of food provision to take place and there may be some facilities that are aimed specifically at catering for refugees and asylum seekers. Please read below regarding some of the different types of drop ins in Leeds.
For more specific information either contact the food provider directly by email, follow their website / facebook link if they have one. Alternatively you can go back to the homepage and click on Signposting to Food Providers in order to access the Homeless & Food Aid Document.
Here is a map showing some of the drop-ins that are available in Leeds city centre, as well as some of the services available to people who are homeless.
No referral is needed for these services. You do not have to be street homeless to access the food provision drop-ins – they are open to anyone who is in need.
Click the map to enlarge.
Click on a location for more details.
St George’s Crypt – LS1
Leeds with the Homeless – LS1
SPIN Leeds – LS1
Food for those in Need – LS2
Salvation Army – LS2
St. Martin’s – LS7
Neruka’s Soup Kitchen – LS8
Courtyard Cafe – LS8
Christ Temple of Worship – LS9
Life Café – LS9
Streetwise – LS11
NB: St JJ’s is now closed.
Neruka’s offers a free, wholesome meal and a warm atmosphere where people can meet with others and talk through problems or concerns. They also signpost people to other organisations that provide similar and vital services that they can access. They can provide small food parcels.
Open:
Wednesday – 12pm to 2pm (meal and food parcels)
Friday – 10am to 12pm (food parcels only)
Address: 50 Gledhow Road, LS8 5ES
Contact: soupkitcheninfo@gmail.com
Facebook: Nerukas Soup Kitchen
St. George’s Crypt offers a free 3-course lunchtime meal, 5 days a week.
Open: Monday to Friday – 11am to 1.30pm (lunch 12pm – 1pm)
Address: St George’s Crypt, Great George Street, LS1 3BR
Phone: (0113) 245 9061
Email: admin@stgeorgescrypt.org.uk
Twitter: @CryptLeeds
Facebook: St George’s Crypt, Leeds
Click on image for website.
Streetwise Love Leeds are all about providing a loving environment, food and clothing to some of the most vulnerable adults in Leeds. They exist to provide on-going support for adults who are homeless, living in poverty or who simply need a sense of belonging and friendship. They give out food and drinks at their weekly drop-in, where they offer a befriending service, a friendly social atmosphere and work with similar organisations to provide information and guidance to those who are in need.
Open: Thursday – 7pm to 8pm
Address: Life Church, 98 Kirkstall Road, LS3 1HJ
Email: hello@streetwiseloveleeds.org.uk
Facebook: #StreetwiseLoveLeeds
Twitter: @StreetwiseLeeds
Free food and refreshments served.
Open: Wednesday – 4:30pm to 6pm
Address: 20 Shannon Street, LS9 8SS
Click on icon for website.
A free hot meal and free set of clothes from the second-hand clothes store are available for those in need.
Open: Monday (term time only) – 11am to 1.15pm (last orders at 1pm)
Address: Harehills Lane Baptist Church, 13 Hilton Place, LS8 4HE
Click on icon for website.
Free soup, bread, hot drinks and a warm social environment.
Open: Thursdays from 6 to 8pm
Address: All Souls Church, Undercroft, Blackman Lane, LS2 9EY
Click on either icon for website.
Leeds with the Homeless is a volunteer-based project. They provide free food and company for homeless people in and around the city centre.
Open: Last Friday of every month – 6.30pm to 8pm
Address: Outside the Art Gallery, Leeds City Center
Click on the icon for the Facebook website.
At Life Café, everyone is always welcome irrespective of social status.
Free hot drinks, snacks and a hot meal are served.
Open: Saturday (except the first Saturday of the month, when the café will be closed) –11am to 1pm
Address: 18, Shannon Street, Leeds. LS9 8SS.
Click on either icon for website.
Free meals and hot drinks for up to 40 guests.
Open: Monday – meal is served at 5.30pm prompt and is only available to the first 40 people to arrive.
Address: Nile Street, LS2 7QY (Off Bridge Street at the bottom of Eastgate)
Click on the icon for website.
At the Community Kitchen, they aim to provide a warm, welcoming and safe environment for their clients as they enjoy a filling and nutritious meal. A free three course meal of soup, a main course and dessert is normally provided. Tea, coffee and fruit juices are also served.
Open: Saturday – 12pm to 2pm
Address: Church Hall, St Martin’s Institute, St Martin’s View, Potternewton, LS7 3LB
Click on either icon for website.
Provision of free food / drinks.
Open: Wednesday – 7pm to 9pm
Address: The side of The Art Gallery, The Headrow, Leeds. Outreach volunteers also cover the streets.
Click on the icon for Facebook website.