Food bank re-established at UFV

Hunger sucks.

It’s hard to study when your stomach is grumbling, or you’re worried about buying adequate groceries for yourself and/or your kids.

That’s why the UFV Coast Capital Peer Resource and Leadership Centre has teamed up with the Student Union Society to re-establish a food bank at UFV.

“Food insecurity is a huge issue at universities. You can’t function properly if you’re hungry, and we want to ensure that every student has the chance to succeed and isn’t hampered by hunger,” says PRLC coordinator Ashley Ward-Hall.

The UFV/SUS Student Food Bank addresses food insecurity amongst members of the UFV community by providing nutritious food and promoting healthy eating, in an accessible, inclusive, respectful, and sustainable manner.

The food bank serves all registered UFV students and their families through a partnership program between Student Life and the UFV Student Union. SUS has provided space for the food bank in the Student Union Building.

And the demand is there already.

“We’ve had 35 requests in 14 days,” says Ward-Hall.

The food hamper program offers UFV community members in need a box of healthy food options to assist in making whole meals. Hamper requests can also include toiletry items such as toothpaste, tampons, or other personal care products.

PRLC student staff member fills UFV food bank hamper bags.

UFV students, staff, and faculty can request a food hamper with no questions asked regarding need by using a confidential online form, which can be found here.

One of the Food Bank assistants will contact participants to arrange hamper pick up.

“Your phone or email address is required so that we can let you know the hamper is ready for pick-up, but we do not keep nor track your contact information,” says Ward-Hall.

Hampers can be picked up at either the Abbotsford or Chilliwack campuses.

Abbotsford — SUB S1111
8:30 am-4:30 pm (M-F)
Chilliwack — Bldg A 1318
8:30 am-4:30 pm (M-F).

If you wish to donate to the UFV food bank, they welcome non-perishable food/hygiene product donations. Bring them to Student Life in either Abbotsford (S1111) or CEP (A0006).

For more information, email foodbank@ufv.ca