Bookbanks, the charity that brings books to food banks, has announced that it will be launching its initiative in Manchester this May. The charity partners with food banks to create weekly pop-up stalls of free books onsite ranging from baby books to poetry, cookbooks to classic novels, many of which are new and donated by bookshops, prizes and publishers or given by individuals, including food bank guests.
Founded in London, Bookbanks is now opening its first Manchester site from May 2 at the Ardwick distribution centre of Manchester Central Foodbank (MCF). Part of the Trussell Trust network, MCF supports over 1,500 people per month, including families and individuals facing financial hardship.
An estimated 620,000 people live in poverty in Greater Manchester, including 250,000 children. Meanwhile, national studies reveal that 1 in 10 children in the UK do not own a single book, while being read to by age five is a key protective factor against poverty in adulthood.
To date, Bookbanks has distributed over 5,000 books at food banks, with an average of 30 books given out per site, each week. The stalls are supervised by trained volunteers with a background in books and they also host regular events, including author readings and writing workshops.
Bookbanks is run by Founding Director Emily Rhodes, a writer, arts journalist and former bookseller from London, and Director Hattie Garlick, journalist and author from Norfolk. Its Manchester launch will be coordinated by Susana Sanchez-Gonzalez, Special Collections Reading Room Coordinator at John Rylands Library, alongside a dedicated team of volunteers from the city’s literary community, including staff from Manchester University Press and Hachette, as well as local authors including Ed Caesar.
Bookbanks aims to expand further in Manchester and the North of England, with a second site planned at Greater Together Manchester’s Social Supermarket in Miles Platting. The charity is welcoming companies, publishers, and individuals to get involved and support the launch through financial donations, book contributions, and volunteer opportunities.
For more information, to donate, or to get involved, head here.
Find Bookbanks at Brunswick Parish Church, Brunswick Street, Ardwick, Manchester, M13 9SX from May 2. Open on Fridays, 10.30am-12.30pm.