Manchester Central Foodbank launch 2025 Christmas donation campaign

Manchester Central Foodbank are asking local people and businesses to help bring festive cheer to families struggling to eat this Christmas by donating essential items to the foodbank. For some in the city, support from a foodbank will be a huge help to get them through the winter.

We will be launching our annual Christmas donation campaign on Saturday 1 November, and are asking for the support of the community to help those in the city who are struggling this winter.

We are again running our ‘Reverse Advent Calendar’ during the month of November, encouraging residents of the city to donate an item of food each day, which by the end of the month will make up the contents of a full food parcel.

Local people facing difficult times this Christmas will be given emergency food parcels containing essential food and hygiene products, as well as festive treats including mince pies, crackers, and chocolate.

The campaign is running from Saturday 1 to Sunday 30 November, and Manchester Central Foodbank are asking for donations to be made in early December, ready to be given out to families in crisis before Christmas.

Donations can be dropped off from Monday 1 December between 9:00-3:30pm, at the Apex Self-Storage Unit on Devonshire Street N, Ardwick, M12 6JQ. We are asking for all donations to be made by Friday 19 December.

2024/25 was our busiest ever year, and we provided food to over 15,770 people, including 6,672 children and young people in need. We are on track to support well over 15,000 people again in 2025/26.

At the same time, donations are not keeping up with the level of need, and we are currently buying around 50% of the food we give out – that’s an incredible amount of tins of soup, boxes of cereal, packets of rice and more every single month. You can support us by taking part in this year’s Christmas donation drive.

Please click here to download our Reverse Advent Calendar poster, which you can distribute with friends, colleagues, in your workplace, and in any clubs or societies you’re part of.

Ben Warner, Strategic Development Lead at Manchester Central Foodbank, said: “This winter is going to be a very tough time for people living in our city and struggling to afford the essentials. Hidden behind closed doors, there are many Mancunian families with little to look forward to this Christmas, but the good news is that we can all do our bit.

“Having the support of local people and businesses is vital as we continue supporting record numbers at Manchester Central Foodbank, having helped over 15,000 people this year alone – and over 40% of those are children and young people.

“We hope that the people of Manchester will support our Reverse Advent Calendar campaign to give local people who are struggling the chance to look forward to a happier Christmas.”

If you would like to support Manchester Central Foodbank, but can’t take part in our Reverse Advent Calendar campaign, please contact us on [email protected] to discuss financial contributions, team volunteering opportunities, and more.

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