Archbishop Holgate's CE Academy sets up a foodbank donation point in their reception

Teachers and students at Archbishop Holgate's CE Academy decided to set up the collection box, to help ensure York Foodbank can maintain its stocks to cope with demand.

York Foodbank operates from centres in Acomb, Bell Farm, Clifton and Tang Hall and relies on public generosity.

Richard Nihill, school chaplain, said: "Archbishop Holgate’s is the first school in the city to set up a permanent site for donations, which is a natural development of the collections of food to help the homeless in York that we have organised at harvest time for the last decade.”

He said the school has in recent years identified justice and compassion as amongst its core shared values. “To support the Food Bank in its work with the most vulnerable in the City of York is a great opportunity to live these values into being. We look forward to passing on many items to the York Foodbank to help local people.” Staff, students and parents have been advised which items were most needed.

The Bishop of Selby, The Rt Revd Dr John Thomson, visited the school yesterday [FRI 20 MARCH] to praise the project and learn more about the initiative.

He said: “I think it’s wonderful that the students and teachers at Archbishop Holgate Academy want to do their bit to help people in York who are going hungry.

"It’s easy to overlook the fact that hundreds of people in the city are struggling to put food on the table, heat their home, or clothe their children. By helping feed people who are hungry, Archbishop Holgate Academy is embodying Jesus’ commandment what we must love our neighbours.”

Laura Hagues from York Foodbank said: "We are so pleased to see a local school getting involved in the work that we do at the Foodbank. All of our food is donated by the public, so a regular donation from Archbishops will go a long way to keep us going. We are delighted to have such a great partnership to work together to help our community."