Manchester University Press supports Bookbanks
11 Jun 2025
Charity that brings books to food banks has launched its inspiring initiative in Manchester – supported by University colleagues.
Bookbanks, the charity that brings books to food banks, has launched its inspiring initiative here in Manchester, supported by Manchester University Press.
Founded in London, Bookbanks has successfully expanded into Norfolk and now Manchester for its first partnership in the North. In each new location, the charity partners with food banks to create enticing weekly pop-up stalls of free books onsite.
From baby books to poetry, via cookbooks and classics, many of these are new and donated by bookshops, prizes and publishers. Others are given by individuals, including food bank guests.
These stalls, also places for regular events such as author readings and writing workshops, are looked after by trained volunteers with a background in books, who have a passion for widening access to them.
They now include Becca Parkinson, Marketing Coordinator at Manchester University Press and her colleagues.
Bookbanks’ first Manchester site launched earlier this month 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.
The launch was 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.
Rebecca Parkinson: “It’s been amazing to volunteer for Bookbanks at this exciting time as they open their first Manchester location. Access to books at any age is absolutely essential, and it’s been wonderful to connect with food bank guests about reading for pleasure.
“I’m delighted to be involved, not only personally, but also to have been able to arrange for Manchester University Press to donate a number of non-fiction books on a regular basis to the charity, as it links to our core belief that books promote positive change and enrich culture.”
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.
Inspiration, conversation, literacy and community
Founding Director Emily Rhodes said: “We are thrilled to be bringing Bookbanks to Manchester, a city with such a vibrant literary scene and inclusive community spirit. We’re looking forward to working closely with Manchester Central Foodbank to create a space there for inspiration, conversation, literacy and community.”
Ben Warner, Assistant Operations Manager at Manchester Central Foodbank added: "We're incredibly excited to be partnering with Bookbanks to bring a new dimension to one of our foodbank centres. Making sure that our centres are a welcoming and holistic experience for those who are visiting us is vital for us. Reading and access to books does huge good during early-years and beyond, and we're so pleased to be able to facilitate that for our foodbank visitors."
To date, Bookbanks has distributed more than 7,000 books at food banks, with an average of 40 books given out per site, each week.
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.
Get involved
For more information, to donate, or to get involved, visit: