There is a high and increasing demand for food banks in the UK. Visiting a food bank entails a degree of stigma, which mean that users are likely to suffer feelings of low self-worth. A book bank transforms a food bank into a place filled with conversations, imagination and aspiration. Its impact goes beyond the time spent at the food bank, improving the education, literacy and social inclusion of book bank users.

As Book Banks grows as a charity we empower food banks to run their own banks by identifying and training volunteers, providing literature and resources, offering ongoing support and establishing links with the wider community and arts organisations.