#wearetogether: University donates surplus food
Wednesday, 08 April 2020
The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Whitley Community Development Association and food charity Foodshare have received food donation from the University of Reading.
The donation – consisting of bottled drinks, cookies, chocolate bars and crisps – is part of our surplus stock and was divided equally between the three organisations. Colleagues from our Campus Commerce team arranged for the food to be delivered to the collection centres of these organisations on Wednesday.
Matt White, Director of Campus Commerce at the University, said, “We contacted NHS initially as we felt that the stock we had available could help sustain the NHS staff through what are undoubtedly long and gruelling days. They are all doing such an amazing job, under such demanding circumstances, and we thought this would be just a small way of expressing our gratitude to them.
“University colleagues then suggested two other wonderful charities, the Whitley Community Development Association, and Foodshare. Both of these have been playing a crucial role in supporting the communities hardest hit by the current situation.”
Whitley CDA is a local registered charity that has been supporting the people of Whitley for six years. It is providing vital food parcels to the elderly and vulnerable in Whitley.
Foodshare support local food banks in Reading, Its food parcels can be collected from the Wycliffe Baptist church, but are also being delivered to the most vulnerable people who are either self-isolating or shielding.
wearetogether
The University of Reading is working together with partners to support efforts to fight the virus, treat the disease, and mitigate the impacts of the coronavirus crisis.
From studying the virus itself, to supporting NHS staff, the University is contributing to efforts to protect people from the disease and help them deal with the many impacts it is having on society.
The #WeAreTogether campaign is highlighting work across all UK universities to support the NHS and the whole of society through the COVID-19 crisis.
You can read more about our work on How Reading is helping fight COVID-19.