Students collect 1.9 tonnes of food for local food banks

Forty volunteers donated nearly two tonnes of food to local food banks as part of the Students’ Union at Bournemouth University’s (SUBU) ‘Big Feed’ event.

The ‘Big Feed’ sees teams compete against each other in an attempt to collect as many food donations as possible, the food being purchased by willing shoppers across Bournemouth and Poole.

A recent study recently revealed that 1 in 5 mothers regularly skip meals in order to feed their children.

5 local supermarkets welcomed 41 volunteers, split in to teams, and all 1.9 tonnes of food collected has been donated to food banks in Christchurch, Poole, and Bournemouth, helping those most in need get a welcome nutritious meal.

Lexy Browning is SUBU’s Volunteer Coordinator, and was delighted with the event.

“I’m so proud of every volunteer who took part. They gave up their Saturday and ensured we have collected a huge amount of food which will help people most desperately in need.”

Many of SUBU’s staff also gave up their time to assist at the event, including Vice President for Welfare Reece Pope.

“It was nice to see the generosity of the general public, especially the elderly gentleman who ran after us to give us UHT milk”

A second Big Feed event is likely to take place in early 2015, with the Students’ Union aiming to surpass the 4 tonnes raised across both events last year.