The Brandon University Students’ Union (BUSU) is launching a new initiative to help combat food insecurity within the student population. Dubbed the ‘Campus Cupboard’ its aims are to ensure that no students at the university go hungry and to do so in a sustainable manner. The cupboard is set to launch at the beginning of the new academic year, on the 10th of September and BUSU are asking companies and individuals across the Westman area to help aid this mission, if possible.
BUSU President Charles Adamu says, “The entire purpose of the Union is to improve the experiences of our students at BU. And that’s why I’m so proud to be a part of the launch of the cupboard. Food insecurity has been a big talking point in the media in Canada over the last few years, with the cost of living and cost of food rising steadily. But those that often get forgotten in the debate are students, who often go hungry without the regularity of full-time or even part-time income. And that’s why it’s so important that we are bringing this initiative in.”
According to an article by Maclean’s Education in the winter of 2022, research suggested that approximately 40% of post-secondary students in Canada face food insecurity.
BUSU wishes to also give special recognition and attention to the work of Bailey’s Café, the community café on campus. Bailey’s have so generously offered to prepare surplus ingredients, donations and fresh foods into freezer meals for no payment, which will then be for sale for a very low price at the cupboard for students to take home.
While the items in the cupboard will be available for purchase, the food will be at heavily discounted prices, beating supermarkets and dollar stores to ensure that even those who are needy will still be able to afford it, ensuring sustainability in the project. “Where previous initiatives have failed in the past is that everything was given away for free” Adamu recognizes, “and of course, we would love to do the same again but unfortunately it meant solely relying on donations, which also limited what was available for students. However, we will ensure that there are some free items available for the neediest, as well as the rest available at a very low cost. The best way to ensure that the project is a success though is through the generosity of businesses and individuals in the area.”
Adamu says the Brandon University Students’ Union will be gratefully receiving donations of non-perishable foods up to and beyond the 10th of September, and fresh and frozen foods after the opening of the initiative on the 10th.
The BUSU office and Campus Cupboard can be found on the ground floor of the Knowles Douglas Building on the Brandon University Campus. Furthermore, individuals and businesses can donate to this project through the Brandon University Foundation’s donation web page at Donate | Give (brandonu.ca). Choose custom on the ‘direction’ drop down and then type in ‘BUSU Campus Cupboard’. Further monetary donations can be made in person at the BUSU office, or at the cupboard itself following its opening. For more information on the program, visit General 6 — Brandon University Students’ Union (busu.ca)
