Nelson and Colne College Group has distributed almost 3,000 items of food to nine Lancashire foodbanks in the run up to Christmas.
Proving it truly is the season of goodwill, those who are need of foodbank support in Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale and Leyland will benefit from the donations that have been made by the College Group – which incorporates Nelson and Colne College, Accrington and Rossendale College and Lancashire Adult Learning.
Nelson and Colne College Group has been one of a number of colleges taking part in the national FE Foodbank Friday initiative since lockdown began in March.
Initially, £1,500 was raised and donated to three local foodbanks in the Spring, and that developed into donations of store cupboard items as well as treats in the lead up to Christmas.
The foodbanks receiving donations this festive season are:
- Haslingden Community Link
- Maundy Relief – Accrington
- Salvation Army – Nelson Citadel
- Colne Open Door
- Inspiring Grace – Nelson
- Colne Citadel
- St Matthew the Apostle with Holy Trinity Church – Burnley
- The Base Community Centre – Leyland
- Burnley FC in the Community
In addition, the Maundy Relief foodbank in Accrington recently put out an urgent call for unwanted coats and jackets for the winter period, and this week 20 bin bags of coats were donated by the College Group.
Rachel Cox, Careers and Personal Development Manager at Nelson and Colne College Group said: “Through the collective efforts of staff and students we have managed to donate a phenomenal amount of food this festive season.
“It was truly heart-warming to see such an array of different goods and the bags piling up each day – and I’m delighted these have now been delivered to those who require a little bit of support this Christmas.
“We are hoping to continue with our foodbank collections in the New Year to continue supporting those in need in our local communities.”
