DCU’s Food Bank to receive €10k per year in new arrangement

Dublin City University, DCU Students’ Union and Progressive Credit Union have collaborated to secure funding for DCU’s Food Bank.

The partnership will see €10k each year for the next two years provided to DCU’s Food Bank, which supports students who are struggling financially with grocery vouchers on a weekly basis. The service is operationally managed by DCU’s Raising and Giving Society.

Speaking on the initiative, DCU Students’ Union Vice-President for Wellbeing, Dean O’Reilly said:

“It is no secret that the rising cost of living has been an extreme burden for students. It was not long ago that we saw our colleagues in UCC have a mass influx of students requesting assistance through their food bank. 

I’m delighted today to welcome the funding from Progressive Credit Union which will ensure our most vulnerable students have one less worry on their minds as they complete their degree.”

Speaking on the partnership, Sean Staunton, CEO of Progressive Credit Union said: 

“We are delighted to partner with Dublin City University and DCU Students’ Union to provide funding for DCU’s Food Bank which provides vital support to struggling students experiencing a rising cost of living. DCU’s north Dublin campuses are in the heart of Progressive Credit Union’s “common bond” and we welcome the opportunity to support DCU’s Food Bank.”

Annabella Stover, DCU’s Deputy Director of Student Support & Development praised the partnership:

“I’m very proud of this initiative and how the food bank has evolved over the years. All those involved in developing and delivering the service to students are to be commended. This new partnership marks another milestone, and the person-centred voucher model will go a long way to supporting the individual needs of students experiencing hardship.”

DCU Students’ Union’s VP Wellbeing Dean O’Reilly highlighted: 

“The need for this service reaffirms the necessity of publicly-funded higher education in Ireland. We know from the Cassells Report that our Government can fund the sector - and fund it wholly. 

The €3000 students would save without the cost of so-called ‘free fees’ would allow them €30 per week for groceries for almost two years. At DCU SU, we’re calling on the Government to deliver on their promises that Higher and Further Education will be sufficiently funded.”