Below is the latest information from Harrogate Borough Council for accessing food this Christmas.
If you are in crisis or are particularly struggling this year there are a number of places to turn to for financial and wellbeing support. The ‘You Are Not Alone’ leaflet lists the various charities and agencies that can support people locally.
You Are Not Alone leaflet | Christmas food leaflet
Some of the support available for families includes:
Rumblin Tums – food donations to help school families in Harrogate that are in need of help
www.facebook.com/RumblinTumsHG
Resurrected Bites are doing little extras for the people they support e.g. selection boxes. If any families have already accessed the Community Groceries stores they’ll be in the system, but if not, you can join for £5 then have access to a weekly shop for just a few pounds (a 4+ family can get their shop for £6). They run at New Park School and Gracious Street Methodist Church in Knaresborough twice weekly https://resurrectedbites.co.uk/#groceries
HELP is a referring organisation for the Trussell Trusts Foodbanks (at Mowbray Church in Harrogate, Life Destiny Church in Starbeck and Holy Trinity Church in Knaresborough). If any families are in crisis and require food, please get in touch. There is also the NY Local Assistance Fund to access supermarket and energy vouchers www.northyorks.gov.uk/local-assistance-fund – no referral needed, people can just call them direct – 01904 550030.
We can also refer families to Warm & Well NY or the Green Doctor for support with energy bills, energy debt and energy efficiency as well as advice on keeping warm in the home. They can give us a call on 01423 813090 between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday.
Essential Needs is the community furniture store behind the Leeds Road shops for those needing household items www.essentialneeds.org.uk
Harrogate Clothes Bank provides free, good quality pre-loved clothes from their base on Hornbeam Park
Harrogate & Knaresborough Toy Library have toys and resources to borrow from St Mary’s Church in Knaresborough www.hktl.org
This year there are a number of ‘Warm Spaces’ people can access if they’re struggling to heat their homes. Community venues, churches and local libraries are friendly, safe and inclusive places, offering not just warmth but a place to enjoy the company of others, and maybe a hot drink. Venues across the Harrogate district are being added to our HADCA Where To Turn Community Information Directory, searchable under the theme ‘Warm Space’ https://hadca.org.uk/wheretoturn
If there is anything else you need help with or if you are struggling to know where to turn, please call the HELP team on – 01423 813090. Their offices are open until midday on Friday 23 December.
