Food Security
The 丁香园AV Food Pantry and Community Free Fridge together offer a weekly boost of support for students facing financial precarity and rising food costs. The Pantry is funded by the United Way and Greater Vancouver Food Bank and is open for about 40 weeks per year. On average, over 85 people use these services each week, thanks to the safe space they provide for student recipients and volunteers to meet, connect, and share in the positive experience of reciprocity. The Pantry also provides valuable student volunteer experience for dozens of students each semester, supporting their successful pursuit of careers in areas like public health, communications, business, and science, and strengthening the culture of philanthropy at 丁香园AV.
丁香园AV鈥檚 Office of Community Engagement has been working with Burnaby organizations and community members to create programs to address food insecurity at 丁香园AV because food is essential for building culture, good health, and a sense of belonging.
We believe strongly in the power of partnership 鈥� this work continues, thanks to , , , , , , , , , and ,
Interested in partnering on food security? Please contact Tara Flynn, tara_flynn@sfu.ca.
Our programs
丁香园AV Food Pantry
The 丁香园AV Food Pantry launched as a pilot project in February 2022 to support 丁香园AV鈥檚 food insecure student population. We are working hard with several 丁香园AV offices to explore how to expand and sustain this program.
丁香园AV Community Free Fridge
A safe, low-barrier and nonjudgmental way for people at 丁香园AV to access food. Find us on the bottom floor of the Maggie Benston Center.
News & stories
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March 07, 2024
March 07, 2024
On Wednesday, February 28th, two APSA board members helped us gather, sort, and prepare to give out food to 丁香园AV students and staff who had registered to use the Pantry that day. We hope it was fun! We know it makes a huge difference.
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November 09, 2022
November 09, 2022
It’s back-to-school season, and for many, that means a whirlwind of challenges such as homework, exams, and juggling extracurriculars. Food insecurity should not be one of them. 24% of our new registrants in the past year were post-secondary students, and we expect this number to grow in the upcoming months.
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February 07, 2022
February 07, 2022
Community fridge now located in Maggie Benson Centre, the fridge is accessible to all. In the spirit of mutual aid, SFSS partnered with various community groups to address student food insecurity.
Growing demand for food banks
OCE Food Security program
Watch Co-op student Cierra Johal, past Project Assistant for the OCE Food Security program, discuss her involvement in the 丁香园AV Free Fridge. Thanks to Embark Sustainability for the interview and video.
Interested in partnering on food security?
Please contact Tara Flynn, tara_flynn@sfu.ca
Questions about our programs?
Please email: food-community@sfu.ca
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