Bradford Metropolitan Foodbank is a small, local, independent charity run entirely by volunteers. Bradford has always been a city with high levels of poverty, even in its heyday (Titus Salt built the village of Saltaire because he was shocked by the poor living conditions of millworkers).  However, as in many parts of the UK, the problem is more acute now than it has been for many years and foodbanks are one way of addressing this problem.  Bradford Metropolitan Foodbank recognises that many of the poorest areas of Bradford are outside the city centre and also works with the multi-ethnic, multi-faith nature of the city.  The group distributes food parcels to individuals and to organisations that provide meals for hungry people.