Manchester: SVP evening to fund UK's first student-led food bank

Student members of the St Vincent DePaul Society (SVP) are set to host a Charity Dinner on Friday 22 March at 7pm to raise funds for a food bank. The event will be held at Manchester Universities Catholic Chaplaincy on Oxford Road. Costing just £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, home to a vibrant community of students, is the hub for the charitable activities of the university branch of the SVP. Among 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 local people in need.

The food will be 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 go to:

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Twitter - www.twitter.com/SVP_MUSCC