A feeding device for a mechanical weaving machine, including a winding element which can be driven in a rotating manner, a stationary storage, and at least one stop element. The stop element can be axially and radially moved in relation to the storage body, between an unwinding position releasing thread yarn and a stop position wherein the stop element is applied to the foremost winding and which ends the weft insertion. A yarn clamp is arranged downstream from the stop element, which initiates the respective weft insertion, and which can be switched between a passive position and a clamping position. The storage body has a small diameter, and the stop element is moved axially to the stop position solely by the windings due to a transport motion of the windings on the storage body.