Students lead relaunch of college's vital food bank collection

A COLLEGE food bank collection has been relaunched by students to highlight the importance of tackling food poverty.

A group of learners have worked with Inspira to bring the college’s collection into focus and promote action to help those in need as part of the National Citizen Service’s Changemakers programme.

On the last Friday of each month a collection will now take place in the foyer of the main building at the college’s Lillyhall campus, with staff and students encouraged to bring items for donation.

Lecturer Wendy Black has supported the students’ efforts to relaunch the vital service.

She said: “I think it’s really important that we all learn about, and have an understanding of, the importance of giving back to our community.”

The food bank has run in the college for some time but the students felt that not enough people were aware of the collection.

They have worked as a team to design posters and written letters to staff promoting the relaunch, and arranged with the college’s facilities team for the space in the foyer to be secured.

Following recent national reports of people struggling to feed their pets, the students are also encouraging people to donate items for animals.

Laura McAllister, National Citizen Service area coordinator for Inspira, added: “The idea of the Changemakers programme is to focus on social action and giving something back to the community.”

As well as making a difference to the local community, the efforts also give each student a positive addition to their CV.

All of the items collected will be donated to North Lakes Foodbank each month and lists of appropriate donations can be found on the organisation’s website here.