The Martlet

The UVic food bank is suffering from a shortage of supplies this month, and the problem may be unique to our campus — or at least its approach.

More than 40 universities across Canada offer food bank services to their students, and while funding varies across the board, there are a high number of success stories.

Leisha Zamecnik, communications and program manager for the Meal Exchange Program, an organization that contributes to food banks across the country, said university food banks operate differently. Last year, the Meal Exchange raised over $290,000 for Canadian universities from their biggest event: Trick or Eat.

“Over 5,000 people participated nation-wide,” said Zamecnik.

In Victoria, the Halloween event has played a huge role in filling the UVic food bank.

“Getting student organizations involved is always a great assistance,” said Darcy Lindberg, the UVic food bank’s co-ordinator. “The Trick or Eat drive always alleviates the strain on our budget.”

With the above-average number of international students attending UVic this year, the food bank hasn’t been meeting demand, and it seems to be getting worse. The annual stipend of $8,000 from student fees just isn’t enough.

Other universities operate differently. Zamecnik said while it’s hard to pinpoint the best and the worst university food banks, the University of Alberta, University of Guelph, St. Francis Xavier and the University of Saskatchewan would rank among the highest.

And it’s no wonder. The University of Alberta is the first university food bank in Canada. Established only 17 years ago, it provides services to the entire university community, including faculty and alumni. The food bank is independent of the student body, but receives an annual grant of $19,000 from the student union — that doesn’t include external donations.

Madeline Bachmann, executive director of the University of Alberta food bank, said their history has helped.

“In 1991, when tuition nearly doubled, we had a media stunt offering free food out for one day,” said Bachmann. “We expected a small turnout, but no one could have predicted the 250-person lineup.”

The food bank serves approximately 1,800 people annually, and those numbers are on the rise.

“We’ve got fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs, bakery-donated bread, even toiletries and baby supplies, but we only allow people one hamper every two weeks,” said Bachman. “So they have to spread it out.”

At UVic, students are allowed to take food once per week.

On the other side of the country, the University of P.E.I. has a strong open-door policy when it comes to helping students.

Father Charlie Cheverie, a priest and U.P.E.I. food bank head, said on a student union budget of only $500 per year (plus donations), they’ve never gone without. And despite the fact that Cheverie imposes no limits on how much food students can take, it’s rarely abused — though they do only have three to four families come in per week.

“For those who need it, we provide a good service, and they respect it well,” Cheverie said. “We’ve been blessed to have the support of the campus, too.”

The U.P.E.I. library requests canned food donations instead of overdue fines, the drama club holds regular fundraisers and community has weekly “dress down days” where they exchange their suits for jeans, and toss some money to the food bank’s cause.

While the structure of UVic’s food bank might not be suited for the same measures, Cheverie suggests that UVic having a weekly one-bag limit might actually inspire people to take more than they need.

Meanwhile, Bachmann says one solution is to take a look at other examples that are working, and find out why.

“It’s important for those in charge to talk with other food banks to see what can be collaborated on,” Bachmann said. “There’s a whole network of people out there to help you.”