Story
Food Security on Campus
For students, access to affordable and nourishing food is never a given. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing affordability crisis, up to 40% of postsecondary students reported experiencing some form of food insecurity.
Food prices have now increased by more than 15% in just the last two years, with nutrient-dense products becoming more and more inaccessible to budget shoppers. To make matters worse, the overall rising cost of living means resources that previously might have been reserved for groceries are now being funneled into inflated rents, transportation costs, and other daily necessities. And many students work multiple jobs just to make ends meet, which doesn’t leave much time or energy for sourcing healthy meals to feed their minds and bodies.
Fortunately, Dalhousie students have access to on-campus resources like the Dalhousie Student Union Food Bank and Agricultural Campus Food Pantry. But steadily increasing demand means that these services require more and more funding to adequately meet the needs of the student population. The student-run DSU Food Bank in particular has seen a 40% uptick in usage, to the point that they have had to shift from a drop-in to appointment-based operating model.
That’s why the Food Security Project is back again this Giving Tuesday, to connect students with reliable access to good food at a time when it’s badly needed. 100% of Food Security Project proceeds go to stocking shelves at the DSU Food Bank and AC Food Pantry.
Be a part of the movement. Double your impact.
Now in its third year, the Food Security Project has grown to a true province-wide movement, with communities across Nova Scotia rallying to meet the urgent needs of postsecondary students. We at Dal are proud to have spearheaded this effort with our friends at the J & W Murphy Foundation.
Thanks to the foundation’s matching support, gifts from individuals up to $20,000 will go twice as far again this year. That means your contribution can have double the impact.
We’ve exceeded our goal for two years running, and our objective this time is to bring in over $60,000 for student food security. Together we can ensure Dal and King’s students have reliable access to nourishing food when they need it. Help us get there and show students you care.
If you would like more information about this campaign please reach out to Clare MacDermott at clare.macdermott@dal.ca. To mail a cheque please send to the Office of Advancement, 6389 Coburg Road, PO Box 15000, Halifax, NS B3H 2A5.
Supporters
XENOPHON STEPHEN TZAGARAKIS
Carol Sinclair
I understand students are finding it very difficult to pay for food rent etc and want to help
Norman Rost
Harvey Morrison
Kathleen Cochrane
Barbara Winter
Jessica Feader
Coburg Social
Students have been through so much these last few years. If we can help our neighbours feel more stability in their day-to-day lives, and give them the ability to stay focused on what matters, we'll have done our job.
Juliette Thomas
Food security is Real! I give what I can, no one can predict what will happen from day to day, we just don't know so support and show compassion and love towards others.
Alison DeLory
I'm happy to support Dal students so they may be nourished during a challenging time.
Quenta Adams
Aramark Dalhousie Food Services
At Aramark our mission is to enrich and nourish lives, and so we are proud to pay it forward for our friends at Dalhousie. Together, we can ensure students are well-fed and not worrying about where their next meal is going to come from.
Carrie Bendzsa
Good nutrition goes hand in hand with success in education. We want to help students get access to the food they need so they can feel at their best as they pursue their dreams.
Dawn Morrison
All students deserve nourishing food. We have a chance to help students meet this most basic need in order for them to succeed and thrive. I believe even a small amount per month helps in more ways than you can imagine. Please consider giving to this most worthy cause.
Cheryl Earle
Clare MacDermott
Alex Speed
It's hard to study when you're hungry. These are tough times for a lot of people, and I hope that they get better soon.
Matthew Proctor
Marsha Mann
Give back. Give large. Give often. Give a legacy gift so that you’re giving will continue when you’re gone.
terri mann
Happy to support a wonderful initiative. Our students are amazing and I want them to have access to healthy food. The Dalhousie Food Bank, the Loaded Ladle etc are all helping students. When we all work together, change for good happens. Thanks to the team at Dal Advancement for all their hard work.