After being blown away by the response of students and staff to City College Plymouth’s Foodbank appeal, the college has been able to extend its support to those facing financial hardship across the city.
After raising £14,385 through grants from Plymouth City Council, an online fundraising campaign and personal donations, not only has the college been able to purchase a fridge and freezer for its own foodbank supplies, it has also been able to donate an appliance to the Aid Redistribution Centre (ARC), which is part of the Plymouth Food Aid Network.
The ARC acts as a distribution centre for unsold food that would otherwise be sent to landfill; a number of supermarkets are now supporting the cause which in turn helps community groups throughout Plymouth.
Chaz Talbot, student liaison officer at City College, said:
“Our onsite college foodbank has always been well-supported by students and staff and I know they will be delighted to see their donations helping even more people in the community by enabling the ARC to store and safely distribute frozen goods in addition to staples such as rice, pasta and tinned goods.”
ARC manager, Karena Jolley, said:
“To some this might just be a freezer, but for the families and individuals we help, this is an extra helping hand at a time when someone is at their most vulnerable.
“We can greatly increase what we are able to store and distribute thanks to this new freezer, so we would like to thank the City College community and Plymouth City Council for their support.”
Director of student journey, Bob Hunter, who visited the ARC recently, said:
“I have always known how generous and compassionate City College is as a place, but it still never fails to astound me the levels of support shown by our students, staff and supporters. It is very special to be part of such an amazing community.
“Being able to support something such as this is important to the college, especially when we consider our strategic action that seeks to have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the local community.”
The ARC redistributes surplus food and essentials to charities, community support groups and local causes across Plymouth and South East Cornwall. It is supported by Food Plymouth and is part of the Plymouth Food Aid Network and relies on volunteers. To find out more about the Aid Redistribution Centre visit its Facebook page or e-mailing thearcplymouth@outlook.com.
