Festive Foodbank collections help local families this Christmas

Festivities at the College @newburycollege began last week with the dressing of the Christmas tree, beneath it lays an open gift box ready to be filled #FestiveFEFoodbankFriday.

With demand for foodbanks continuing to increase nationally, collecting the needed items for them is a vital way in which to support our community. The College is encouraging staff and students to donate either single items or to create hampers to make Christmas a little easier for the many people in need. 

Newbury College is collaborating with Further Education colleges around the country for #FestiveFEFoodbankFriday to give their foodbank collections a festive twist and support local communities over the festive period. 

Lee Hunt, MBE, Vice Principal, Newbury College commented:

“Donating to foodbanks is a fantastic way in which we can collectively and practically support our community. No one should go hungry in our local area, and we are delighted to support West Berkshire Foodbank as they provide essential supplies.”

FestiveFEFoodbankFriday was launched last year and is now part of the sector’s Good for Me Good for FE campaign. Newbury College is one of the 120 colleges that are engaged with the initiative, aiming to collectively generate £1m of social value and collect 20,000 food items over the coming academic year. 

Throughout December, staff and students will have an opportunity to donate the vital foodbank items with reminders of the types of items needed to be shared on social channels. These include urgently needed items such as dog food, shaving gel, long-life UHT milk, long-life fruit juice, washing up liquid and confectionery.

You can also support the cause by making a donation and find out more about the services they offer, along with a full list of items at westberks.foodbank.org.uk

If you have a member of staff or a student at the College in your household, don’t forget to send them in with any of the items listed.