Kent Giving Week is a week of fundraising activities raising vital funds for the University of Kent and its major campaigns, with a focus this year on raising £25,000 to provide student meals and hardship bursaries for those who need it most. Under the assumption that the average meal costs £5, the funds raised from Kent Giving Week 2023 would buy 5,000 meals for students facing significant financial struggles.

There are many students finding themselves facing serious financial hardship to the point of being unable to afford groceries. A 2022 survey of UK students found a monthly shortfall of £439 between the average students maintenance loan and living costs with 10% of students having used a food bank in the last academic year and 47% say their diet suffers. 67% of students are concerned about managing their living costs this autumn/winter with over half of those saying it might prevent them from continuing their studies.