Food banks

If you are on a low income and have an unexpected crisis or an emergency that means you cannot afford food you may be able to get support from a food bank.

Everyone who comes to the foodbank for emergency food needs to have a valid food bank voucher.

To request a voucher you can either contact the food banks directly or you can contact us

Foodbank locations

Please see the Ely foodbank website for further information on their distribution centres and opening times.

Household Support Fund

The Cambridgeshire Household Support Fund has been created to help people experiencing immediate financial hardship to pay for food and household energy bills. Help is available for pensioners and other people on eligible benefits who are struggling with food and energy costs.  

Help with pet food 

Ely foodbank may occasionally have pet food available for dogs and cats. 

Wood Green Animal Shelter also offers support and advice if you are struggling with the cost of pet food.

Telephone: 0300 303 9333 between 8am and 4pm
Email: info@woodgreen.org.uk 

The RSPCA Pet Food Bank project collects food donations and delivers them to food banks for owners and animals in need. The Littleport independent food bank, located at St George's Church, Church Lane, Littleport, is our local food bank for the RSPCA project. The food bank is open Tuesdays and Fridays between 11am to midday.  

Free school meals

You can find out if your child is eligible for free schools meals via Cambridgeshire County Council.  

Families who are currently paying for school meals will save around £450 a year for each primary school child, if they are entitled to free school meals.  

Secondary school children who are entitled to free school meals might also qualify for help with school transport costs.

Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF)

If your child is eligible for free school meals you can also access free childcare with a healthy meal over the Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays, subject to availability. Find out more on Cambridgeshire County Council Holiday Activities and Food Programme webpage.

Healthy Start food vouchers

Healthy Start provide regular vouchers to help buy fruit, vegetables and milk if you are on a low income, pregnant or have a child under four.