Donations needed at student food bank
With winter just around the corner, many students are finding their funds are running low.Understanding the financial constraints involved in obtaining a post-secondary education, and the difficulty in making ends meet, the Nipissing University Student Union (NUSU) helps students alleviate the pressure of food insecurity by offering the food bank.
The food bank is a not-for-profit service, but it is also a limited resource dependent on donations.
"The food bank is in need of donations due to the high demand at this time of year,” said Sarah McGowan, director of communications for NUSU. “Students tend to use the food bank around Christmas, in the first week of January and at the end of April. This is mostly due to the OSAP payment schedule.”
NUSU will be collecting non-perishable food items and monetary donations to help spread a little hope this holiday season. While every donation is appreciated there are some items that are of high demand at the food bank. Items such as toiletries, gluten free foods, grocery store gift card and monetary donations are desperately needed.
Monetary donations such as gift cards are essential to the food bank as it allows students to purchase perishable groceries like fresh fruit, vegetable, milk, bread and meat.
“There seems to be a stigma for students accessing the food bank, staff and executives of NUSU are quite aware that some students view this as embarrassing,” said McGowan. “To use the food bank, students don’t have to be on the poverty line or considered "poor", some students haven't had enough hours at work, others have had unexpected payments such as cars or medical expenses. NUSU views the food bank as a essential service for students that we are happy to provide.”
Donations can be dropped off at the NUSU Office, located in the Student Centre at the front of the school.
The food bank is open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. If the office is closed and access to the food bank is required, emailinfo@nusu.com orcommunications@nusu.com?