With the rising cost of living, more and more students are struggling to afford their basic needs, while trying to focus their studies. Some students are trying to pay bills and forgoing meals – no student should study on an empty stomach. We have all felt the strain of rising prices at the supermarket – what used to fill a trunk now barely fills a bag. The U of M Food Bank, can, and has helped to alleviate this stress by providing non-perishable food items and personal hygiene products to students in need. Our ability to support students and learners relies directly on donations from the community and there has never been a greater need for these donations than right now.

Two students who visit the UM Food Bank noted the crucial difference the food bank has made for them. One shared: “I would like to applaud the initiative of the school to reach out to donors for their support in feeding students. The food bank has been helping me with my academic pursuit because I have the assurance that there is something for me at the end of the month, as such I fully concentrate on my studies. Also, I would like to gratify the inclusion of high-protein varieties of food in the bank.” Another stated: “The food bank has been a great help in easing some of my financial concerns, especially as an international student, and allowing me to focus more on my studies.”

You can find lists of needed items on the U of M Food Bank website – but food bank coordinator, Mauricio Munoz, noted that people shouldn’t hesitate to stray from the list! Munoz mentioned that, especially with the holiday season coming up, things like chocolates, cookies, candy, and other themed treats and items are greatly appreciated by students using the food bank. If items are shelf stable, they are welcome, this includes bulk packages of individually wrapped items. Some other high demand items include baby items such as diapers, baby food, and formula. The food bank team confidentially coordinates with students and learners to arrange the collection of donations. Munoz shared that it doesn’t matter how much or what you are able to donate – everything helps as it all goes directly to aiding students in meeting their basic needs. He stated, “[you] can make a student’s month complete by just donating to the food bank.”

Donations of food or personal hygiene items can be delivered directly to the food bank in room 518 UMSU University Centre Building on the Fort Garry Campus, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Bannatyne Campus, donations can be brought to the UMSU Answers Booth on the main level of the Brodie Centre, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (calling before-hand is recommended – 204-789-3993). One-time financial donations or payroll deductions are also appreciated, more information is available on the  U of M Food Bank website.

Donations, in any form, make a tangible difference in the lives of so many in the UM student community, so, if you are able, please consider donating.

To increase awareness and support the growing need, drives and fundraising events are currently being planned. Follow the UM Food Bank on Instagram [at]uofm_foobank, check out their website, and keep an eye out for future UM Today articles to find out more about upcoming events, but know that donations are accepted and appreciated at any time. If you have questions about donating or facilitating a pickup on Fort Garry campus, please contact the team at foodbank[at]umanitoba[dot]ca.

If you are seeking support

If you need support and are enrolled as a student (full or part-time) in the current academic term, you may be eligible to access the UM Food Bank services once every four weeks. Find out more about the food bank here.

If you’re struggling right now, please know there’s support available for eligible students.

“We know students are facing financial stresses, especially as the holidays approach,” says Jane Lastra, Associate Registrar and Director, Financial Aid & Awards. “Some students are eating smaller meals or skipping them altogether, to be able to pay their bills. What we want to say to you is, there is help available. The University of Manitoba has support programs that can help you.”

Please check out the following resources:

UM FOOD BANK

Eligible students undergoing financial distress are welcome to use UM Food Bank services once every four weeks, at no cost to you, to help offset the costs of groceries during these times. To be eligible to use the food bank, students must be enrolled (full or part-time) in the current academic term. Find out more about the food bank here.

UM EMERGENCY LOANS

UM’s emergency loan program provides short-term assistance to students who experience unexpected and immediate financial expenses or constraints. This includes, but is not limited to, unanticipated personal living costs, and unexpected delays in government loans and other award funding. Find out more about UM emergency loans here.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Emergency food support is available through Harvest Manitoba’s food banks each month. To see if you’re eligible, have your Manitoba Health card handy and reach out to their food support line. If you’re an international student, you can use your student ID. Find out more about Harvest Manitoba’s services here. 

The Christmas Cheer Board provides hampers to Winnipeg households during the holiday season that include groceries and gifts for children 14 years and under. Find out more about eligibility and how to apply on the Christmas Cheer Board website.

Show your Bison spirit and help a fellow student this holiday season

Since 2020, use of the UM Food Bank has increased from 75 students monthly to now over 600 student each month. If you’re in a position to be able to support a fellow student, the UM Food Bank welcomes donations. You can make a financial gift online or donate non-perishable food items and hygiene supplies. The food bank’s most-wanted items include:

• Canned fruit and vegetables
• Canned soup and beans
• Canned fish and sandwich meat
• Cereals and oatmeal
• Coffee and tea
• Dried lentils and beans
• Pasta, pasta sauce and rice
• Baby food
• Deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste and body wash
• Feminine hygiene products (pads and tampons)

We accept donations at both the Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses. Find out how to donate here.

When a student is struggling to pay for tuition, rent, and books – sometimes they have little left over to put food on the table.  

“After converting our savings to Canadian dollars, we realized that we didn’t have quite enough to get by,” says Maria Cortes, Master of Arts student, The Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS). “That’s when I discovered the UM Food Bank. I reached out, and we received a box full of food. It made such a difference as we started our new life in Canada.”  

Donors have already contributed over $259,000 to the UM Food Bank this year alone, but our students still need support. The cost of everything is going up. Donations to the UM Food Bank not only help put essentials like non-perishable food into students’ cupboards but also personal hygiene items, like toothpaste, shampoo, and soap. This support has a pronounced impact on a student’s life. 

“I was relieved when I found the UM Food Bank. It helped supplement food for my family, contributing to about 10% to 15% of our needs. That may not sound like much, but for newcomers, it was a huge gap to fill,” says Jason Denis, MBA Student, Asper School of Business. “Your donation helps students like me get the essentials we need for ourselves and our families, so that we can better focus on our classwork.” 

Anyone wishing to help our students succeed can make a financial donation online, including easy options for one-time and monthly donations. Contributions via payroll for UM faculty and staff can be made here. Food donations can also be dropped off at many locations across the Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses. 

Any student wishing to use the UM Food Bank can find more information on the Food Bank’s website.  

“A month into the Fall term, I began experiencing serious financial difficulties and found myself struggling to afford basic necessities like groceries,” says Kaamil Allah Baksh, a first-year master of architecture student. “I didn’t know how I was going to get my next meal. Then my friend told me about the UM Food Bank. I reached out immediately, and by that same afternoon, I received a hamper full of food. I felt a tremendous sense of relief and gratitude.”

“The food bank has been in existence for nearly 30 years and has consistently provided support to students to help off-set their grocery budgets during times of need,” explains Jane Lastra, associate registrar and director of financial aid and awards. “The food bank provides non-perishable food items, which then enables our students to purchase the fresh produce they need to remain nourished and focused on their studies.”

On average, close to 1,000 students utilize the food bank annually. However, since the beginning of the pandemic, those numbers have doubled. And with the price of groceries expected to rise further in the new year, the food bank’s existence is more important than ever.

“There will be a continual need for food bank support by our students, and this will only increase over time,” Lastra continues. “We rely on and appreciate the generosity of our donors, so we can ensure we have ongoing funding to support our students and ensure that no student goes hungry.”

Because of the pandemic, the food bank is not currently accepting actual food donations and has shifted to more of a virtual model. Partnering with Food Fare Winnipeg, non-perishable food hampers are delivered to students entirely free of charge.

Any students needing to order a hamper can do so on the Food Bank’s website. To be eligible, students must be enrolled either full or part-time in the current academic term and can request a food hamper once every month.

Anyone wishing to make a financial donation to the food bank can make their gift online, including easy options for one-time donations or contributions via payroll for UM faculty and staff.

In the 2019/20 academic year, UM provided more than $30 million in financial support to students, a sizable increase compared to the $21 million distributed in an average year. In the first month of the pandemic alone, UM created several COVID-19 emergency relief funds for students who needed extra help, disbursing $1.4 million. The Student Technology Fund, another new initiative, has helped students in need purchase personal computers for their online studies.

Since March of last year, approximately $60,000 has also been raised from faculty, staff, donors and the community to assist students through the UM Food Bank. This key generosity helps offset grocery costs for more than 1,110 students each year.

In operation for more than 25 years, the UM Food Bank is a joint initiative between UMSU, the Graduate Students Association and Financial Aid & Awards. When the university shut down in March 2020, UM responded to the unique needs of the pandemic by changing the way that the food bank supports students. After operating with a pick-up model for several months, Financial Aid & Awards adapted their strategy, partnering with FoodFare for a new initiative to send food hampers straight to students. Available through contactless delivery, each hamper is abundantly equipped with non-perishable food items. 

“The University of Manitoba is committed to supporting the well-being of all our students. Basic food needs should not be a barrier to success,” says Jane Lastra, associate registrar and director, Financial Aid & Awards. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors and partners, we are able to offer the Food Bank service to students free of charge.”

A second year Master’s student in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences who prefers to remain anonymous used the UM Food Bank when they first came to Canada and during the current pandemic.

“The program has helped tremendously in alleviating some financial stress and the delivery service during Covid-19 is a huge help for those of us who do not have our own transportation,” the student says. “The people who run the program make me feel welcome and supported. I would like to thank the generous donors and those who run the program for making it possible. Because of them, I have been able to focus on my studies and continue to advance in my academic journey.”

Students facing financial challenges can access information and learn about ordering hampers on the Food Bank’s website. To be eligible, students must be enrolled (full or part-time) in the current academic term and can request a food hamper once every three weeks.

For those interested in supporting students through the Food Bank, information is available online, including easy options for one-time donations or contributions via payroll for UM faculty and staff.

Along with offering assistance from the Food Bank, UM continues to provide options for financial support for students needing help. Students wanting to learn more about COVID-related financial assistance can connect with Financial Aid and Awards.