University Volume 25 | Issue 3 | Tuesday 12th October 2021
Express
‘It’s Heartbreaking’ – UCC Food Bank Reopens
UCCExpress.ie
IMASHA COSTA Editor-In-Chief On Wednesday, 6th of October, UCC Student’s Union had to turn away students from their food bank as they ran out of food to give. On speaking to Asha Woodhouse, SU President, she recollects her experience from that day. ‘I remember when we started, there was loads of food there. I was in meetings therefore I couldn’t come when we first started letting students come in. The number of students started clocking up and things were going very quickly.’ Woodhouse states that within almost 50 minutes, the Food Bank ran out of things. A staff member who was generous enough to give them 60 euros allowed the SU exec to run to the nearest shop and buy more things. But by the time that they returned, there was a line of 20 students waiting. One crate and one shopping bag worth of food provisions was not enough.
and they get to see what is really happening. an initial priority. Caoimhe Walsh, Welfare Officer ‘There was just nothing there. It was heartbreaking had students approaching her, since the beginning UCC Students Union started a GoFundMe and very difficult to see how food insecurity is of the year, many stating that they could not on the same Wednesday and within 19 hours faced by students. In the past years, there were afford the basic necessities after paying their rent. were able to raise 15,062 euros out of their usually 20 to 30 students that used the food 5000 euro goal. Woodhouse states that people bank. But this time, there were 100 students. Penny Dinners were the first to donate toward the have been generous, and it is not just staff and Food Bank. Asha states that Caitríona Twomey saw ‘But these are just the students that are showing an increase of students coming to Penny Dinners, students but also people from outside Cork. up to ask for help, there are also students availing of their services to receive a hot meal for So many people wanted to donate and support. who feel ashamed to come ask for help.’ the day. With those encounters, there were students ‘All that money will go to buying stuff (food UCC Students Union Food Bank was first that were either thinking of dropping out of college provisions and hygiene products). We will bulk buy introduced in 2019 by then Welfare Officer, or even deferring because they were so starved and it so that it is cheaper. Like we did not get much for Naoise Crowley, but was then not accessible under pressure to even afford their basic necessities. the 70 quid that we used at the shop on Wednesday during the pandemic. The current SU exec had The SU finds themselves in a difficult but CONTINUED ON PAGE 3.’ found bringing the Food Bank was a necessity fortunate situation where students come Image Credit: UCC SU especially with everyone coming back but was not with their issues to them, to speak to them