The Students’ Union Officer team are collecting food and fundraising for three food banks in Sheffield.
They aim to rally students, societies and sports groups who are able to donate food and fundraise for the S2, S6 and Burngreave food banks.
In a Facebook post, SU President Beth Eyre said: “The scale of food poverty in Britain has been rising for the last decade. Covid-19 has exacerbated this deep rooted problem in society and communities have been left to provide for their most vulnerable over what is going to be an uncertain winter period.
“Uni of Sheffield students are an important stakeholder within our local community and it is our duty to do what we can to alleviate the problem, especially in the short term.”
While there is an immediate demand for certain food items, the Officer team said money was the best way to make a difference as it allows the food banks to operate more effectively. The aim is to achieve a target of £1,500 in fundraising with money raised split equally across the foodbanks.
Eyre said: “Going into a second lockdown, the issue of food poverty becomes more imperative to address than ever. With a month of even more economic uncertainty and infection rates high, not everybody has the privilege of bulk buying to stock their cupboards over November.”
The items in immediate demand are:
- Long life fruit juice or squash
- Rice pudding
- Tinned fruit
- Tinned veg
- Tinned meat and fish
- UHT milk
- Sugar
- Cooking oil
- Biscuits
- Cereal
- Dried mash
- Tinned potatoes
- Tomatoes and pulses
- Baked beans
- Toiletries
- Washing powder
- Toilet roll
- Nappies
Food can be dropped off at the main entrance of the SU and money can be donated by visiting the ‘Sheffield Food Poverty Appeal’ page.
Featured image: Sheffield SU
