Decorative header image reading 'Learn how we can help with access to food support if you need it.'

Food pantries: low cost food, drink, and other household essentials

1. Food pantries - low cost food, drink, and other household essentials:

Working with Urban Outreach and our amazing volunteers, we run food pantries in Bolton. These community spaces offer low‑cost food, drinks, and everyday household essentials, supported by a small temporary membership fee.

When you visit, you’ll receive a friendly welcome, the opportunity to choose the items you need, and access to one‑to‑one support if there’s anything else you’re struggling with.

If you — or someone you know — could benefit from one of our food pantries, just visit or get in touch with your local UCAN centre. You can tap here to find your nearest UCAN centre.

Food banks: free food and basic provisions for people in need.

2. Food banks - free food and basic provisions for people in need (these are separate from our pantries):

A food bank is a place where stocks of food, basic provisions, and non-perishable items are supplied free of charge to people in need. They're separate to the four pantries we help to run.

To access a food bank, you need a referral voucher which can be provided through any of our Money Advice Team (www.boltonathome.org.uk/money-advice-team) or through Bolton Council's Local Welfare Provision (LWP) (www.bolton.gov.uk/website/pages/Localwelfareprovision.aspx). You can call us on 01204 328000 if you'd like us to guide you through the process.