Help support local food banks

The University of Leeds and Leeds University Union (LUU) have joined forces to support local food banks this winter.

This year has proved challenging for food banks in Leeds. With demand skyrocketing, they have often struggled to support the people who rely on them. To combat this, we are asking staff and students to help, if they would like to, by donating food and other essential items.

On hearing that the University and LUU wanted to support, Emily Carrigan, Manager at Rainbow Junk-tion said:

We are seeing a rising number of people in need of support feeding their families and our stocks are running low after a long year providing for our community. We are so grateful for the donations that keep us going - thank you so much for your support and solidarity in action.

Any donations collected will be used to support Rainbow Junk-tion, PAFRAS (Positive Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers) and Love In A Box.

How to donate

We are providing a collection point in LUU for staff and students to use. In addition, all halls of residence will have their own donation points for resident students to donate any food they may not be taking home with them.

If you would like to donate, the collection points and dates are as follows:

• 3-13 December Coffee on the Crescent (Weds - Sun 10am-4pm)
• 6-7 December (9am - 5pm) see below for list of community collection points.
• 7-9 December (11am – 5pm)– Leeds University Union Riley Smith Theatre
• 27 November - 9 December: Donations at Halls of Residences for residents only

What to donate?

We are looking for donations of long-life, non-perishable items, those in high demand are listed below:

• Long-life Milk
• Rice (1kg)
• Cereal
• Lentils (dry & tinned)
• Tinned Meat
• Tinned Custard
• Tinned Rice Pudding
• Coffee Mate
• Coffee (small jars)
• Biscuits
• Crisps
• Curry Sauce
• Cooking Oil
• Shampoo
• Shower Gel
• Sensitive baby wipes
• Nappies (size 4 & 5)
• Washing Up Liquid
• Hand Gel
• Soap Powder
• Cleaning Products

If you have fresh or opened food, don’t waste it! You can donate directly to Rainbow Junk-tion on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays between 10am and 4pm.

For those of you in Leeds who are unable to donate to the University collection, we have collated a list of direct donation points around Leeds for you to use:

• St Aiden’s Foodbank
• Trussell Trust: Leeds North and West and  Leeds South and East
• Right Choices Project (Headingley)
• Holbeck Food Bank
• Otley Food Bank
• Rainbow Junk-tion

The support of the University community will help local food banks to continue to provide essential food and foster community spirit during the holidays.

For more information, contact sustainability@leeds.ac.uk