The Bishop of Selby, the Rt Revd Dr John Thomson, will visited Archbishop Holgate Academy, York, to bless the academy’s new Foodbank collection point on the morning of Friday 20th March.
The Foodbank collection point, located at the academy’s reception, was the idea of teachers and pupils who wanted to do something practical to help poverty in York.
The Rt Revd Dr John Thomson, Bishop of Selby, 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.”
Richard Nihill, Archbishop Holgate Academy 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.
“The academy’s Christian values of justice and compassion have inspired us as a school to get involved and work with York Food Bank, which is connected to the Trussell Trust. Students have been informed which items are a priority, although all gifts will be accepted. However, at present sugar, cereal, toiletries and toilet rolls are greatly needed. We look forward to passing on many items to the York Foodbank to help local people.”
Pictured: Pupils from Year 10, with Richard Nihill, School Chaplain; the Rt Revd Dr John Thomson, Bishop of Selby;Laura Hagues, Manager of York Foodbank; the Revd Jan Nobel, Vicar of Heslington.