With food insecurity directly affecting students who are struggling financially, Durham College programs are helping by those in need.
One in four people in Durham Region have difficulty accessing healthy food, including students.
The Durham College food bursary is one of the programs that strives to help them and provide financial support.
The money is given just before the semester break annually to support students to buy groceries.
“People experience a lot of financial pressures over the holiday season, so we really want to make sure that people have food to eat,” says Ariel Sully, the associate vice- president, Advancement and Alumni Relations at Durham College.
Aside from financial support the bursary also helps students cope with stress during the holiday seasons.
“There’s lots of stress in and around the holiday times for everyone, so I think it’s particularly important over that time for us to be able to try and remove a little bit of that stress,” says Sully.
The goal is to avoid any external pressure that can distract students from showing up to class and dedicating time to their studies.
Applications for the food access bursary opens in November where students will later be notified in December. The applications are completed online through the Financial Aid office.
The Durham College Student Association (DCSA) also operates a food bank.
Nicole Shillingford-Grell, the DCSA Support Hub manager, says the food bank is seeing more interest for the food bank than in the past.
“The need for food is always there. I can’t say we’ve decreased, it’s very consistent,” she says.
The food bank, which is located in the Student Centre Building, is available to full-time students who identify as food insecure.
Food insecurity can consist of skipping meals or not having enough protein at home, says Shillingford-Grell.
Students can access the service once a month, with exceptions for students in more severe situations.
Students are able to talk to staff individually to look for a flexible way to help put food on the table, according to Shillingford-Grell.
The purpose is to make sure students have enough food to focus academically.
“It’s really hard to study and to learn when your tummy’s grumbling,” she says.
There are several items available to students, including perishables and non-perishables and hygiene items.
Students can register for the food bank online through the DCSA’s Support Hub email or in person at the Student Centre.