MANCHESTER STUDENTS FEEDING THE POOREST OF THE CITY
Easter Dinner Raising Funds to Create the UK’s First Student-Led Food
Bank
Manchester Universities’ Catholic Chaplaincy, home to a
vibrant student community, is due to host an Easter Charity Dinner on Friday 22nd
March at 7pm. For only £5, guests will be treated to a formal three-course meal
including a delicious lamb dinner. The night will also include music, raffles,
a quiz, and an all-night bar. The chaplaincy is the hub for the charitable
activities of the university branch of the St Vincent DePaul Society (SVP
1833). Amongst dozens of social outreach projects, the SVP is in the process of
setting up a food bank on the premises of the chaplaincy. The SVP food bank
(which will be formally known as Manchester Central Food Bank) is thought to be
the UK’s first student-led food bank, and will serve the financially
compromised members of the local communities.
A food bank is, as the name suggests, a storage space for
food. The food is accessed by people who are directed to it with a voucher
issued by governmental organisations such as hospitals, Jobcentres, GP
surgeries, social workers, Citizens Advice Bureaus etc. Those who will benefit
from the food bank are amongst the 13 million people living below the poverty line
in the UK today, and the 47 per cent of children living in poverty in
Manchester at the present. Single parents, low-income families, students in
financial crisis; all will be eligible for food packs to last 3 days.
In order to get the food bank up and running within the next
6 months, the SVP needs to raise funds to the sum of £8,000 and collect 3
tonnes of food. To help with the costs, fundraising events, including the
Easter Dinner, will be organised by SVP. President Bradley Taylor says: “This
is a great chance to wine and dine, get dressed up and have fun whilst
supporting a great cause!” He also stressed the significance of the low cost of
the charity dinner: “SVP and Manchester Central Food Bank are keen to point out
that even a little generosity can make the world of difference to our
neighbours in the local community”. Guests are welcome to bring a friend or
two. The event is open to anyone who would like to come and support this great
cause.
For more information on Manchester
Central Food Bank or the charitable works of SVP MUSCC, telephone President Bradley Taylor on 07751163024 or
email svpmuscc@gmail.com
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