Posted on: 16th October 2025

1,000 apples have been given away to people in need by Leeds City Mission through a novel initiative in the inner city!

Every day over the last month trays of apples have been displayed at the Leeds City Mission Compassion Centre in Mistress Lane, near Armley Library.

Leeds City Mission is one of the oldest christian organisations in Leeds being in continuous existence since 1837. It has been the beneficiary of this year’s bumper crop of fruit. 

Generous supporters have foraged and hand picked from apple trees, passing on generous quantities of the fruit to the City Mission. These have been given away to local people wanting fresh fruit to eat or to make homemade healthy eating options such as apple pies, apple crumbles and apple sauce.

A steady stream of residents and shoppers have visited the City Mission premises adjacent to the Armley Shopping Area. They have taken away supplies of apples to eat or use in their culinary endeavours.

Hub Manager Sinclair Martin explained that the City Mission ran a Food Bank at its Compassion Centre. This usually supplied tins and packets of food to people in need. The huge donations of apples had extended the range to include fresh, healthy fruit to people on the margins of life.

He concluded: “Leeds City Mission is seeking to meet some of the pressing needs of people struggling with life. Of course - sharing the gospel is our priority.  The supply of adequate, good healthy food is really important too. We are grateful to supporters who have given their time and energy to supply this enormous quantity of apples.”

Leeds City Mission is a multi-church Christian agency committed to gospel outreach in word and deed.  Its projects include a foodbank, charity shop, street evangelism, support for smaller churches, prison and nursing home chaplaincy and other projects.  It also runs the Christian Book & Card Booth from its premises in Mistress Lane supplying bibles, books and greetings cards to the Christian public in Leeds.