Get Involved | Make a Difference to Individuals in Derby & Derbyshire

YMCA Harvest Festival

Harvest Festival is a really important time of the year for us. Be part of it by helping us provide much needed food, toiletries, household items and other goods to people at risk of homelessness, poverty and social isolation in Derby.

Why support us?

The need across Derby continues to grow. The ongoing cost of living crisis has left many individuals and families facing food insecurity, poverty, and the risk of homelessness. In the past year, more people have turned to us for help than ever before. In response, we’ve expanded our support to include families as well as individuals.

Last year, thanks to your generosity, we were able to provide:

Welcome over 8,444 visits at Padley@YMCA Derbyshire, where people accessed food support, took part in 1-to-1 and group sessions, and engaged in creative and educational activities.
Serve over 7,500 hot meals through our Community Hub and provide 1,297 emergency food parcels.
Distribute 458 toiletry parcels and 160 clothing parcels to those without access to basic essentials.

This Harvest Festival, we are asking for donations of non-perishable food, toiletries, and household items to stock:

The Community Pantry at Padley@YMCA Derbyshire, and

The Residents’ Pantry for those living with us at YMCA Derbyshire.

Your support will help meet real, immediate need within our community.

Book a Collection or Delivery Slot

Drop off and collection slots must be booked at least 48 hours in advance. For further information please email [email protected].

DROP OFF SLOTS are available TUESDAYS and WEDNESDAYS between 9am-3pm.

COLLECTION SLOTS are available THURSDAYS between 9am-3pm and FRIDAYS between 11am – 3pm.

Schools, please note that the week before October half term is the busiest for school collections, and we will be fully booked quickly.

Download our Harvest Fundraising Pack

We have created a Harvest Fundraising Pack so you can start promoting your Harvest Festival campaign at your school, church , organisation or place of work.

Inside is all the information you need about the YMCA Derbyshire and Padley Harvest Campaign along side a poster and detailed wishlist.

How to donate items

To donate items please arrange a drop off or collection slot through our online booking form. Please give as much notice as possible as we are only a small team!

Once you have made a booking you will recieve a confirmation email. If you need to cancel a booking please get in touch as soon as you can.

How to donate money

We are running an online donation campaign if you wish to donate money instead of items. Donate to our Just Giving Campaign by clicking the button below and we will purchase essential items on your behalf. Remember to gift aid if you can, we can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you donate at no additional cost to you!

Volunteering

We are looking for a team of volunteers to help collect, sort and process all of the wonderful donations we receive in September and October. If you would like to help in the warehouse, be a van driver or driver’s mate then check our our volunteering vacancies.

Please post and share your Harvest Campaign 2025 on social media and remember to use the hashtag #YMCADHarvest2025, don’t forget to tag us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

If you would like anymore information or to talk to someone about our Harvest Campaign contact [email protected] or 01332 774480