BARNSLEY College students have had extra support over this Christmas break thanks to the generosity of students and local businesses.
The college brought back ‘The Pantry’, a hub where food donations were made, allowing students to discreetly collect one of 150 food packs to support them during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
This is the second year the project has been run, with its success last year making staff decide to bring it back for the festive period.
Collection boxes in each department received hundreds of donations, which were combined with several donations from local businesses including 15 selection boxes from Tesco Stairfoot, another 15 from Tesco Hoyland, and £450 in supermarket vouchers from Balmoral Tanks in Thurnscoe.
The food packs also included Christmas cards from college students, an admission voucher to Wentworth Castle Gardens donated by the National Trust and the option to include a hygiene pack containing items such as toothpaste and body wash.
Sasha Foyster, learner voice adviser within student services, who led the collection, said: “Following the success and support for last year’s food collection and the continuous rise in food prices, we decided that The Pantry needed to return to support students over the Christmas break.
“With help from departments across the college, we identified students that needed support over Christmas, and we ensured packages were either taken to outlying sites or students could come discreetly and pick up a parcel.”
