To donate text FEAST to 70470
Our journey began in 2012 when a group of local friends got together to supply local schools and children’s centres with food.
Having heard that children were coming to school with an empty stomach they decided something had to be done.
In just a few short weeks the friends were collecting a supplying food to 6 centres and we haven’t stopped growing to this day!
We now supply more than 120 local food banks, soup kitchens, community centres and refuges with the food they need to feed others.
Last year alone we sourced and shared nearly 400 tonnes of food with those in need.
The Reality in Blackpool
Almost 44 % of children here are growing up in poverty—no one should have to choose between heating and eating.
Blackpool is the most deprived local authority in England, hunger sits at the heart of that inequality.
| The Need (2024) | Our Impact (2024) |
|---|---|
| 44 % of local children live in poverty | 842,221 meals delivered |
| Small collections are made to 100s of shops and suppliers and shared locally | 353,733 kg food redistributed to partners from one place across the region |
| Good food is thrown away causing toxic gases | 672,000 kg CO₂ saved, like planting 38,405 trees |
| Lack of time and resources is the main issue facing small local charities | 18,181 volunteer hours generated to the benefit of the Blackpool community |
“My kids don’t go to bed hungry any more. The Food Bank gave us hope when we had none.” — Lisa, South Shore mum
Our Mission
We serve all those in food need and crisis with good and nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste.
We work with nearly 100 food companies, farmers, growers, wholesalers, retailers and other food redistribution charities to collect the food that would go to waste as part of their daily operations.
This can be because of mis-ordering, transit issues, closing of stores or mis-labelling for example.
We then take that food and share it with our 120+ charity partners such as food banks, soup kitchens, community kitchens, pantries, refuges and community clubs to provide to those in need and crisis.
The difference our food makes…
”I do struggle with my mental health. But, when I come here, it changes my life. [It’s] so friendly and, I mean, I enjoy it...just gets me through the day. I think a lot of people would struggle [without this service]. It’s important for people to come here and get food. I’ve got a lot of bills that I pay out. By the time I’ve done that, I’ve hardly got anything left. So, that’s why I come here.”
Morag’s StoryFrontline service user
Our Volunteers
Our devoted and passionate team of 150 volunteers are the engine that drives us forward.
Through them we sort and share all our food. From picking, packing and sorting of our partner orders, preparing crisis parcels to be distributed across the region to driving the food to where it is needed most they do it all!
As the years have progressed and our reach and scope have increased we have added a new brand to our portfolio.
The BIG Food Project is now the name we use nationally to reflect our national work and influence whilst maintaining the Blackpool Food Bank title for our local residents and partners to ensure they know we are still here serving them the food they need all year round.
To discover more about The BIG Food Project please click home at the top of the page.
Be assured any donation made is put to best use feeding children, families and individuals in the areas of highest need.