Student sets up food bank at the University

A student has set up a food bank at The University of Buckingham for fellow undergraduates and has already managed to get both large chains and independents to provide the food for free.

Economics with Applied Computing undergraduate student Alicia said: “The aim of this food service is to reach out to students who may not have all the food they need.”

Alicia, who came to England from Botswana, was working as a PA with Faith Dimensions Ministries Pentecostal Church in Milton Keynes, prior to starting her degree last year. As part of her job she learnt how to approach companies for aid through the church, which has set up a food bank for people in Milton Keynes.

Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Alistair Alcock said: “Although we have students from wealthy families, some of our international students have only been able to be funded by a large number of family members joining together. There are also an increasing number of students from the local area who choose the University because the only way they can afford to do a degree course – which is two years in Buckingham – is to live at home.

“Alicia will be working closely with the University’s Welfare Department and we are keen that the experience of this pilot project be used by other universities.”