Using the Food Bank

All Simon Fraser University students and community members are welcome to use the Food Bank. The Food Bank is staffed by student volunteers and offers dry goods and non-perishable groceries. We often have hygienic supplies and baby items as well.

On your first visit of each semester, you'll need to complete a confidential information form on the computer and show a valid SFU ID card. For subsequent visits, you simply type your student number into our database.

The Food Bank is open daily. Please see the hours of operation and drop by the Food Bank location during one of those times. If our hours do not work with your schedule, please email the Coordinator at foodbank@sfu.ca 

The SFU Food Bank is meant to serve members of the SFU community who are in need or in an emergency situation. Students do not need to be on financial assistance to use the Food Bank. Students can access the Food Bank once, or up to 8 times per semester. Staff will provide referrals to other Lower Mainland Food Banks and sources of financial assistance if the campus Food Bank is not meeting a student's needs.

History

The SFU Food Bank was started in the mid-1990s by a group of Grad students living in Residence. Originally, its services were mainly for Residence students. It was based out of Louis Riel House, a part of Residence which was (and still is) for Graduate, PhD, and mature students or any student with a family.

In 2000, the Food Bank was expanded out of Residence by an SFSS Board Member due to a broader community need. At this time, the Food Bank became a joint service delivered by the Student Society and the University (through Student Development). It is currently run by a working group made up of key individuals from the SFSS and SD, which oversees the paid student Coordinator and an average of five student volunteers.

Who We Serve

Our clients are members of the SFU Community including Grad students, International students, and students with families. In Fall 2009, we had 76 clients who visited a total of 178 times over the semester. In Spring 2010, we had 66 clients who visited a total of 181 times over the semester. We have experienced an increase in both number of clients and visits, which is likely due to a combination of increased marketing and awareness, regular hours, and community need. On average, 30% of our clients live in residence. Most are full time students (approximately 90%) from Canada (approximately 70%) with dependents (approximately 60%). About half of our clients only use the Food Bank once per semester.

Food Hampers

We provide approximately 3 – 4 days’ worth of food per individual in a family, which looks like one grocery bag. If a client has a child or a spouse to support, then we provide one bag of food for each additional dependent. The contents of the hamper are based on client preference and availability based on donations. We have sections for omnivores and vegetarians. We are also able to fulfill special dietary needs. Please email the Food Bank Coordinator at foodbank@sfu.ca if you have a unique diet.

We are interested in helping all students achieve a nutritious diet as outlined in the Canada Food Guide. With this purpose, we use cash donations to buy items which are not often donated, such as brown rice, whole wheat pasta, dried fruit, soy milk, peanut butter, and cereal. All of our volunteers have been trained in basic nutrition, so feel free to ask questions!