Bookbanks brings books to food banks.

We work closely with food banks, using books and trained book professionals to create spaces for conversation, inspiration, literacy and community.

Why Bookbanks?

Books can take readers on many extraordinary journeys. One could be a path to a better future.

Reading for pleasure has been shown to be “the single most important indicator of a child's future success” and 74% of people who read say it has a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing.

Yet 1 in 8 UK children doesn’t own a single book and latest data shows “the lowest levels of reading enjoyment and daily reading in a generation”, prompting the government to declare 2026 a National Year of Reading.

At the same time, food poverty in the UK is on the rise. 2.8 million people (over 4% of individuals and 8% of children) are using the country’s 3,000 food banks.

Bookbanks brings books to food banks.

‘If you haven't got money, but you have a book, the book is knowledge and knowledge is good.’

Yusuf, Bookbanks guest

‘I came for food, and I left with food for the soul.’

Grace, Bookbanks Hammersmith & Fulham

‘This has been so good for me… It’s the first time in a long time I’ve really enjoyed a social situation.’

Pete, Bookbanks Wymondham

Bookbanks changes the story at food banks, through books.

Bookbanks partners with food banks to create enticing pop-up stalls of free books onsite.

From baby books to poetry, via cookbooks and classics, some are donated by bookshops, prizes and publishers. Others are given by individuals, including food bank guests. New, or in good condition, all are books that our guests can enjoy browsing and be proud to own.

Stalls are open every week, looked after by trained volunteers with a background in books. Bookbanks volunteers include librarians, authors, publishers and more; they all have a passion for books and widening access to them.

Since launching in June 2024, Bookbanks has grown to partner with 6 food banks in London, Manchester & Norfolk.

Its 50 trained volunteers provide 1,200 hours of conversation time with food bank guests each year, and give out, on average, 1,000 books every month, totalling over 12,000. Half of these are children’s books.

Bookbanks has also hosted 12 Matthew’s Talks author events in partner food banks, featuring Andrew O’Hagan, Francesca Segal, and Anne Sebba among others, as well as writing workshops and regular “meet your librarian” sessions.

Bookbanks wants to reach every food bank.

First, in the next 3-5 years, we plan to partner with 30, across 6 UK regional hubs. This will increase the number of books we give out from 1,000 to 5,000 each month, and give the charity a presence in 1% of the country’s food banks.

In early 2026, Bookbanks will begin this growth from its Manchester location to reach more food banks in the North-West, where there is the second highest rate of poverty in the UK.