Our SU Food Pantry has now provided over 10,000 free meals* to students!
The Food Pantry is a regular service we offer to students, where they are able to access non-persishable essential food items and hygiene items.
Whilst we're proud to acknowledge the vital support we offer Birkbeck students, it also highlights a harsh reality. The cost-of-living crisis continues to affect everyone, and students are among the hardest hit. Many struggle to afford the basics, with maintenance loans often barely covering rent in London. As a result, food insecurity remains a serious issue for too many.
History of the Food Pantry and How It Operates
The food pantry was introduced to campus in December 2023, just before the Christmas holidays, at a time when many students were facing financial hardship. Its launch coincided with the early stages of the cost of living crisis, highlighting the growing need for accessible food support within our student community.
William Sarenden, our SU Chairman and former Welfare Lead, who created this initiative, reflects on its importance:
“This project was incredibly important to me, as it became clear that many students needed support, especially over the holiday period. For some, navigating external food banks can be daunting, so we wanted to create something accessible, free, and confidential right here on campus. After the first session, it was evident just how vital this service was, and we have continued running the food pantry ever since.”
At the very first session, over 60 students accessed the pantry, and by the end of the day, all available food supplies had been distributed. After the next few sessions, it was clear that many students and staff wanted to help and donate to the food pantry. With this in mind we created many food donation points around campus.
The Food Pantry Today
Today, the food pantry operates during term time, facilitated by our Student Support Manager and a team of dedicated volunteers. It remains a crucial resource, providing students with essential food items and ensuring that no one in our community goes without. Our next food pantry date is Tuesday 13th May, as part of Mental Health Awareness Week.
This iniative is a cornerstone of the SU and one we endeavor to keep improving and diversifying. The plan for the future is to offer a wider range of sanitary items, as well as more culturally diverse food items to cater to even more students.
How We Can All Help
If you’d like to support the Birkbeck Food Pantry and help students in need, here’s how we can all make a difference:
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Donate: We’ve set up donation points on the ground floor of the Birkbeck Central Building and in the Student Lounge on Malet St. Non-perishable items such as canned goods, rice, and pasta are always in demand.
A huge thank you to our dedicated support team and the entire Birkbeck community. Let's keep growing the Food Pantry in the future and ensuring it remains a frequent, reliable service for our students! 🫶
*We count a free meal as one full adult portion of food, for example 80g pasta and sauce.