Durham College food support programs are helping students manage food insecurity through an annual bursary and a campus food bank in Oshawa.
The college’s Food Access Bursary provides financial help for groceries shortly before the semester break. Applications open in November and recipients are notified in December, according to reporting by the Durham College Chronicle.
Ariel Sully, Durham College’s associate vice-president of Advancement and Alumni Relations, told the Chronicle that holiday-season financial pressure makes it important to ensure students have food. The bursary is intended to reduce a source of stress that can interfere with class attendance and study time.
Campus food bank offers monthly support
The Durham College Student Association also operates a food bank in the Student Centre Building. It is available to full-time students who identify as food insecure.
Students can normally use the service once a month, while people facing more severe circumstances may be accommodated more often. Available supplies include perishable and non-perishable food as well as hygiene products.
Nicole Shillingford-Grell, manager of the DCSA Support Hub, said demand has remained consistent and that staff can speak with students individually to find a flexible form of help. Students can register online through the Support Hub or visit the Student Centre in person.
Food insecurity can include skipping meals or having too little protein or other nutritious food at home. The programs are designed to remove some of that pressure so students can focus on their coursework.
Regional need remains substantial
The Chronicle reported that one in four people in Durham Region has difficulty accessing healthy food. The Durham College food support described in the report is specifically aimed at students dealing with those pressures.
Students seeking the bursary should use Durham College’s Financial Aid process when applications open. Those needing more immediate help can contact the DCSA Support Hub about food-bank access and available accommodations.
Program details and eligibility can change, so students should confirm current requirements with the college or student association before applying.
