Donating items to MK Food Bank

The Hub at the OU’s Milton Keynes campus continues to support MK Food Bank through its collection point in the lobby, helping staff and visitors donate non-perishable food items and toiletries for people in need across the local community. 

MK Food Bank provides vital short-term crisis support and care for families and individuals in Milton Keynes. Donations made through The Open University Hub help provide essential food and everyday items to those experiencing financial hardship or food insecurity. 

Louisa Hobbs, Operations Manager of Milton Keynes Food Bank, thanked The OU Hub, for its continued support, noting that the food collection point had generated more than 400 items of long-life food over the previous year. This contribution has helped MK Food Bank continue its work supporting individuals and families in crisis across Milton Keynes. 

Since then, the Hub has continued to build on this support through additional food-box donations. Over the last year 19 food boxes were donated from the OU, further strengthening the Hub’s ongoing partnership with MK Food Bank and supporting people in the local community when they need it most. 

Why donate? 

MK Food Bank supports families and individuals facing food insecurity. Donations directly benefit members of the local community, helping ensure they have access to nutritious food and basic necessities. 

The Food Bank provides emergency food parcels containing long-life food designed to help create meals for three days. It also runs Top-up Shops for people experiencing longer-term financial hardship, where families can buy essential items at a low cost and access further support and advice. 

Most needed items 

Donations of the following items are especially welcome: 

• Canned goods, including vegetables, fruit, beans and soups 
• Pasta, rice and grains 
• Cereal and oatmeal 
• Shelf-stable milk and juice 
• Toiletries, including toothpaste, soap, shampoo and sanitary products 
• Baby food and nappies 

How to donate 

Bring your items to the Hub and place them in the designated collection basket in the lobby. Every contribution helps make a positive difference to people in Milton Keynes. 

Thank you for your generosity and continued support. 

Festive appeal success 

The Hub also supported MK Food Bank through its festive Reverse Advent Appeal, encouraging donations of Christmas treats alongside essentials. The appeal saw strong support from the OU community, with a wide range of items collected to help local families during the holiday season.