According to official data from Cáritas Diocesana in Barcelona, more than 97,000 people will struggle to afford food this Christmas. With these concerning figures in mind —on top of the current healthcare crisis sparked by COVID-19— UIC Barcelona launched the food drive “Make Christmas count”.

This charitable initiative promoted by the university (specifically by the University Students for Solidarity Service) attracted students, teachers and administrative and service staff from across the university community.

Between 22 November and 4 December, members could support the campaign by donating food items (jars of chickpeas, tins of peaches, biscuits, nougat, etc.), a contribution that has been of great help to many families in need.

As such, the university set up collection points on both campuses for people to donate produce. Given current health and safety restrictions, it was also possible to have food delivered directly to the university and external collection points were set up from which UIC Barcelona volunteers later collected donations.

The charitable campaign “Make Christmas count” has been a complete success and has managed to fill 140 boxes with food.  It was supported by 69 student volunteers who offered to coordinate collection points for donations from their friends and family. A total of 250 food packages were also given to Asociación Social Montalegre (ASM), which were delivered to the most vulnerable families in the Raval neighbourhood of Barcelona.

As a result, 270 homes have befitted from the drive with food donated by members of the UIC Barcelona community.