By Dale Miller
For both broke and benevolent individuals, the Campus Food Bank and campus community garden provide a bonanza of opportunity.
Those on the broke side of fate can head over to the CFB to pick up some much needed nourishment. After presenting your ID and filling out a short survey you will be issued a food hamper. Students’ Union Vice-President External Mike Bosch insists the survey isn’t too prying, as they don’t want to scare away people who really need help.
Last year, 768 people received food from 288 hampers for reasons ranging from family crisis to rising tuition. While the majority of recipients were undergraduates, all U of C students and staff, as well as those who have graduated within the last two years, are eligible.
Earlier this year, the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations conducted a survey on campus food banks stating that food bank usage had a positive relationship with rising tuition.
“The survey we did with CASA showed a correlation between food bank usage and tuition, but a lot of the questions on the survey were directly related to tuition,” said Bosch. “Simply looking at the reasons, it’s not just high tuition.”
As of now the survey hasn’t affected the SU’s actions pertaining to the food bank, but Bosch insists that a revision will happen later this year.
To help out the CFB and satisfy your green thumb, make sure to check out the campus community garden west of Lot 10. This communal garden is open to anyone and provides the opportunity to harvest your own fresh organic veggies as well as contribute to the greater good.
“The community garden provides veggies to anyone who participates, what’s left over goes to the food bank,” said graduate student and campus gardener Yori Jamin. “Last year the food bank had a lot of volunteers to help harvest, but this year they don’t have as many so we can really use some help.”
If green thumbing isn’t your style, you can donate your time, money or non perishables by visiting the CFB office at MacEwan Student Centre 225. They are always looking for help.
“We need lots of cereal and peanut butter, but these are two things people don’t typically give,” said Bosch, who also stated that money donations are also welcome. “The nice thing about money is that we can purchase what we need when we need it.”