Dumfries and Galloway College’s (DGC) Student Association has been awarded £500 in funding from Tesco’s Stronger Starts scheme to support and expand its vital on-campus foodbank initiative.
The funding was secured after the community voted for the project using Tesco’s blue token scheme in stores across Dumfries ─ and the Student Association’s project finished in a fantastic third place to secure the award.
The decision to seek funding was driven by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and its significant impact on the student body. The Student Association identified a growing need for practical support to ensure students’ health, wellbeing and studies are not compromised by financial pressures.
Honor Gibson, Student Association President, said: “As a student, I needed to balance studying, working and taking care of my daughter as a single mother. All these things combined made it difficult to make ends meet, and I needed to use a foodbank at least once a month. We knew we weren’t alone, and we had to act.
“We are incredibly grateful to Tesco and to every member of the community who voted for us. This funding isn’t just about food, it’s about building a stronger, more supportive community where every student has the chance to succeed without the burden of hunger.”
Tesco Stronger Starts, which supports local projects giving children and young people a better start in life, was a natural fit. While the college’s core demographic is 16-25-year-olds, the foodbank also supports mature students with families.
The £500 award will make a substantial difference by:
- Ensuring the foodbank remains consistently stocked throughout the academic year.
- Expanding the range of available products to include items for students with specific dietary needs and allergies.
- Reducing student stress and anxiety linked to food insecurity.
- Allowing students to focus more on their education, secure in the knowledge that support is available.
In a further boost for student wellbeing, the Student Association also extended its thanks to local business Greens Sports Bar (Greens Dumfries) for their generous donation of new equipment for the student pool table.
Students have been getting into the competition spirit and having a great time using the new equipment, which the Student Association President managed to secure from the kind folks at Greens.
“It is brilliant to have local businesses like Greens supporting folks within the community – and we truly appreciate it,” Ms Gibson said. “Here is hoping we can have some collaboration and hold some joint events in the near future!”