A group of entry-level students at Selby College have presented donations to their local food bank after setting themselves the challenge of collecting as many surplus food items as possible.
Throughout the last few weeks, the students have managed to collect seven boxes for Selby & District Foodbank, full of dried food, tinned meat and fruit, tea and coffee, toiletries and more, through donation boxes set up across the college.
Heidi Wilson, lecturer in Business at Selby College, said: “As a result of the pandemic, more and more people are needing to use food bank services which means stocks of individual items often run low. “Our students were keen to help and set out to collect items for Selby and District Foodbank to support the local community. With the help of fellow students and College staff, they were able to collect seven boxes full of food and toiletries. The students also really enjoyed themselves and are proud to support such a great cause.”
Selby & District Foodbank is a project founded by local churches and community groups, working together to prevent hunger in the local area. In addition to national government agencies and supermarkets, Selby District Council also helps support the work the food bank does. Selby & District is part of a nationwide network of food banks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK. Cheryl Whitton, manager at Selby and District Foodbank, added: “During the start of the pandemic, around half the people who used a food bank had never needed one before. Further down the line, we are now seeing those who donated items to the food bank in the first lockdown now needing to use the service themselves, due to a change of circumstances or job losses caused by the pandemic. “Therefore, we appreciate the efforts of the Selby College students in helping to support their local community and local food bank.” To find out how you can donate to Selby & District Foodbank, visit: https://selbydistrict.foodbank.org.uk/.
Selby College students and lecturers with the seven boxes of food donations for the Selby & District Foodbank. (24-06-19 SU)
