Campus Food Bank sees uptick in demand

The Campus Food Bank at the University of Alberta is seeing an uptick in demand as students struggle with the high cost of living.

Pre-pandemic, they were giving out about as much food per month, as they now give out each week.

“It’s hard to keep it on the shelves, we’re just going through stock so quickly that even the generosity of our community is not able to keep up with the demand at this point,” says Erin O’Neil, the Executive Director of the Campus Food Bank.

O’Neil says they have handed out nearly 700 food hampers in the last 30 days. That is a sharp increase from the 442 food hampers handed out in March 2022.

“We’re definitely seeing clients coming in talking about inflation, and rising grocery costs being an issue, but also universities have significantly raised their tuition costs over the last few years.”

O’Neil says the majority of those needing a helping hand are international grad students or households of three or more people. “We’re definitely seeing clients coming in talking about inflation, and rising grocery costs being an issue, but also universities have significantly raised their tuition costs over the last few years.”

Some university students are feeling the pinch of rising costs, finding ways to make ends meet.

“I work part-time to help me through the year because tuition is a lot. Some restaurants, they’ve cut down on the food and increased prices, I’ve noticed that too,” says one student.

Another student says “I bring a lot of my own food, I have my giant lunch bag here, but when I have late labs, I have to stay late and eat dinner, and it’s difficult sometimes.”

Canada’s inflation rate went down slightly last month, according to Statistics Canada, but the cost of groceries has still risen more than 10% in the past year.

To keep up with the demand, the Campus Food Bank is providing a free breakfast once a week, and snack stations throughout campus so students can grab a quick bite to eat on their way to class.