Monday 30-10-2023 - 11:11

Undeb Bangor, Bangor University's Students' Union, has been collaborating with Bangor City Council to provide free meals to those in need.  

Deputy City Director Llinos Fon Jones said, "I am very proud to have been a part of this successful project. It has always been something I wanted to kickstart in the community, with more and more people struggling every day. So, when Ben approached me, I was more than happy to step in. Also, on behalf of the councillors, we would like to thank the incredible university students who have given up a significant amount of their time to help the people of Bangor."

The project commenced on September 30th with support from Josie Ball at Undeb Bangor and Bangor City Council. The project was awarded a £1,500 grant from Bangor City Council to assist with the purchase of new kitchen equipment and the hiring of the hall.

Ben Chandler, the student leading this project, says, “I'm immensely proud of how successful the project has been so far. I wanted to help anyone in need of a hot meal, and now, each week, we run out of the food we make because enough people are benefiting from the project. The Students’ Union has been a great help, as well as everyone who has volunteered so far. I hope we continue to help even more people in the future.”

This student-led project has been gaining significant attention during this year's welcome week and on social media. They interact with the audience, ask for recipe ideas, and involve other societies in the cooking, fostering a sense of community.

Josie Ball, Volunteering and Community Coordinator from Undeb Bangor says, “I feel incredibly grateful to work alongside student volunteers who recognise the challenges many people are facing in our community, particularly due to the cost-of-living crisis. They genuinely want to support. The Hot Meals Project is a perfect example of the kind of initiative we aim to support at Undeb Bangor, where student leaders like Ben approach us with an idea, and we provide the operational support to bring it to life. Being able to encourage collaboration with partners like Bangor City Council, who share the same values and mission, is the icing on the cake.”

The food served will cater to both vegetarians and carnivores, and it's far removed from the concept of a soup kitchen. They offer nutritious, filling, and tasty meals to satisfy all palates and age groups. There are no questions asked when coming to get food; all they request is that you show up with an appetite.

The hot meal facility is open every Saturday from 3 pm to 6 pm at Penrhyn Hall, located on the road next to the bus station. For more information, you can visit their Instagram page @hotmealsproject.