Food for the soul: how food banks are branching out to feed people’s minds

Food banks are a lifeline for many, especially since the cost-of-living crisis hit. And now a new team of volunteers is joining forces with food banks up and down the country to help feed people’s minds.

We spoke with founder of Bookbanks Emily Rhodes to learn how this simple idea is making a big impact.

What is Bookbanks?

At participating food banks, visitors can browse and take home donated books.  

There are no forms, no due dates and no obligation to return them.

It might seem like a small gesture but, for many, it means a lot.

“I came for food and I left with food for the soul,” is how one visitor described their experience at a Bookbank in Fulham.

And it’s exactly the kind of moment that Emily had in mind when she started Bookbanks.

While you wait to collect food parcels, you’re also given something else — a chance to immerse yourself in the world of books and feel like you’re somewhere more than a food bank.

Founded in 2022, Bookbanks has grown quickly. Its sixth site launches on 2 May at Manchester Central Food Bank, adding to locations across London and beyond.

Emily explains how Manchester is a new territory for Boodbanks and while it feels likes such as lively and welcoming city, poverty is a real issue and one where they may be able to make a difference. 

How it works

Each Bookbank sets up a welcoming book stall at a food bank. Visitors can:

• pick a book (or a few!)
• keep it, return it or pass it on
• use activity packs like word searches, colouring sheets, Sudokus and crosswords
• join special events, like author readings, writing workshops and visits from local librarians

It’s about much more than reading. It’s about community, confidence and connection.

“If somebody's English isn't brilliant, things like word searches are a really great resource to build vocabulary,” Emily explains.

She notes how many people are keen to contribute by donating books, which can be an empowering experience. It gives them a sense of purpose and value, knowing they have something meaningful to offer.

Changing the conversation around food banks 

As well as providing books to people who may otherwise struggle to afford them, Emily thinks book banks make people feel better about using food banks. She notes how food banks can be emotionally difficult places, sometimes marked by feelings of shame or isolation. The presence of a book bank, along with friendly conversation, can help turn this around.

Emily remembers one mum who visits a book bank every week with her toddler. During one visit, she revealed she’d like to get a book for her teenage son but wasn’t sure what he’d like.

“So I helped her choose one,” Emily explained. The following week, the mum returned with a smile: her son had loved the book and wanted more. Now, instead of saying she’s going to the food bank, she tells him she’s going to ‘Tuesday’s club’.

Going to a food bank where there are also books to browse and people to chat to feels like more of a social event.

Escapism and mental health

Books can be incredibly powerful for wellbeing.

Losing yourself in a book has long been linked to improved mental health. Research has found that just six minutes of reading a day can reduce stress levels by up to 60%, slowing the heart rate, relaxing muscles and calming the mind.

Part of this is down to escapism. Getting absorbed in a book can offer a break from daily stress. Reading fiction, in particular, has also been shown to boost empathy, helping readers better understand other people’s thoughts and feelings. They can also spark conversation.

“[Reading can] provide a feeling of calm in a world that is very noisy and busy and stressful… it can provide an escape if your current every day is maybe a bit grim at the moment,” says Emily.

Breaking the cycle of poverty 

There are an estimated 3,000 food banks in Britain, used by 2.3 million people, that’s over 3% of the population. At the same time, the National Literacy Trust has found that one in ten children in the UK doesn’t own a single book.

That’s a problem, because early access to books changes lives.

Literacy helps with job opportunities and education, as well as mental health. There’s a proven link between being able to read at age five and not living in poverty by age 30.

Emily sees a direct link between early access to books and long-term financial stability.  She points out that many food bank users are in work, highlighting how unstable financial situations can be and often people are “perhaps two paychecks away from being in poverty”.

For her, literacy is a key factor in breaking that cycle.

Financial literacy starts with literacy

Understanding money is essential to building a more secure future. Here at Money Wellness, we champion better financial education in schools.

And Bookbanks agrees.

“I think financial literacy and literacy go hand in hand. You know, so much about financial literacy is to do with reading the small print or being aware of the offers or being able to fill in the forms correctly,” says Emily.

That’s why Bookbanks offers accessible, engaging activities, to build both reading and confidence. Whether it’s a puzzle, a cookbook or a storybook, it all counts.

Building a sense of belonging

So far, Bookbanks have given over 6,000 books, that’s an average of 30 books at each site, each week.

Some books are kept, some are passed on. Either way, the impact goes beyond the book.

“They are such a brilliant way to bring people together”, says Emily, adding that every reader knows that any conversation that begins with a book never ends with a book. 

You can find your nearest book bank through the Bookbanks website. Or find out how to donate your old books.

And did you know, if you have a library card, you can access books, magazines, audiobooks and films without going anywhere near a library?

Perfect for keeping everyone entertained, especially during the school holidays.