YouAlberta
Earlier in the Fall Term, a number of student groups and the Office of the Dean of Students collaborated to support the Campus Food Bank (CFB) with a snack and school supply drive. These initiatives make the U of A a special place – with students and staff working together to support those who may be less fortunate or struggling in our community.
I wanted to learn more about this initiative, so I reached out to Sophie Martel (president of the Indigenous Students' Union), Samira Schultz (VP of social impact at the Black Students' Association) and Madi Corry (programs manager at the CFB), who helped organize the drive.
Why are initiatives such as this important?
Madi Corry
This drive meant that we had a strong supply of snack items during back to school. Snacks are a much-requested item at the CFB, especially by student families. This community support means we can prioritize bringing in other crucial food items, like proteins, fresh fruits and vegetables. It also spreads awareness that our service exists and that we can always use donations and support from our community.
Sophie Martel
These efforts not only foster collaboration between student groups and university administration but also address the diverse needs of students, particularly those facing financial or logistical challenges. For many Indigenous students, essential supplies can be difficult to access year-round due to financial constraints or the high costs associated with travel. These drives provide meaningful support and help ensure that all students have the tools they need to succeed.
Samira Schultz
Initiatives like the school supply and snack drive are essential for fostering a more inclusive and supportive campus environment. By providing students with the supplies they need to succeed academically and snacks to alleviate daily stress, we help reduce barriers to education and promote student well-being. Given the rising cost of living, it is disheartening to see students choosing between basic needs like food or adequate supplies for their education. The school supply drive directly addressed this challenge, providing crucial support. This effort strengthened our community by building a culture of care and mutual support, and I am proud and honoured to have contributed to this meaningful cause.
This drive was a collaboration between many different groups on campus. What does this collaboration mean to you?
Madi Corry
Student-university collaboration means community-building to us. Food insecurity is a much bigger issue than our food bank can tackle alone, and it can be pretty daunting trying to meet the food needs of our campus community. Collaborations like this allow us to share the work while making sure that more students are fed. We hope to see more initiatives like this in the future.
Sophie Martel
Student-university collaboration is incredibly important to me because it fosters stronger, more open relationships between university administration and students. Currently, trust among many Indigenous students in the university is low due to deeply rooted colonial and systemic issues in post-secondary education. However, even small initiatives like this play a significant role in improving accessibility, enhancing comfort and addressing the barriers that Indigenous students face. These steps are essential for creating a more inclusive and supportive environment.
Samira Schultz
To me, student-university collaboration is about partnership and shared responsibility. Both students and the administration are dedicated to fostering a thriving campus environment, and the best outcomes emerge from working together. By leveraging student organizations' energy and unique perspectives alongside university office resources and institutional support, we create more inclusive, effective and responsive initiatives to students' needs. Ultimately, this collaboration strengthens our university community, making it more resilient and supportive for everyone.
Wrapping up
The snack drive was a resounding success. Dr. Ravina Sanghera wanted to acknowledge the hard work of the student groups who organized the drive, as well as its success:
"Our community came together to support an initiative that addresses a real need for many. We collected over 125 pounds of snacks for the CFB and gathered enough school supplies for more than 200 students, all thanks to the generosity of our community and the inspiring leadership of our student groups. Thank you to everyone who contributed."
-Dr. Ravina Sanghera, Dean of Students
It's heartwarming to see that our community can come together to help each other out. The CFB continues to serve its mission of equitable food access, and you can learn more through its website.
The CFB invites support from students and staff across the university. Madi Corry mentioned, "We love working with student groups and departments across campus, so if your group or office would like to start a similar initiative, please reach out at info@campusfoodbank.com or consider adopting the U of A Community Pantry."