Food Support Services

Food Support
Services

Food Support Services is a USC student service dedicated to relieving hunger among UWO undergraduate students, helping to enable the full participation of students facing barriers of food insecurity. With the rising costs of tuition, housing, childcare, and food, many students are struggling. We provide essential support to UWO students.

About Us

Mission

Our team works hard to break the stigma around being food insecure and accessing support services.

We also have campaigns and events to educate and advocate for local and global issues related to, but not limited to, food insecurity, hunger, and poverty. Our programming and services provide opportunities for student engagement, personal development, and leadership!

Provided Services

Food Bank Access and Location

Our foodbank is located at our office in Room 40F, UCC Building. Students are welcome to come by the Food Support Service food bank during our hours of operation to take what they need. We want to be able to serve as many students as we can, so please be mindful of what you take.

Events

Food Support Services runs several events throughout the year including Restocked To Win, Free Breakfasts, and Haunted not Hungry in collaboration with USC Charity.

Check out our Instagram page for the different events that we’re running this year.

Food Hamper (Digital Food Bank)

Food Support Services offers a one-of-a-kind Confidential Hamper Service for Western Students. Students in need can request a hamper using our online form and pick it up in a locker located in the basement of the UCC.

During the school year, our food hamper service provides students in need with a grocery bag of food for 5-7 days. Students in need can request a food hamper by filling out a food hamper request form online or visiting our office.

Requests can be made using the ‘Hamper Request’ button below. Please remember that we rely entirely on donations and that we are often not able to honour all special requests.

We will attempt to fill these requests as soon as they are sent in, and requests can be filled in as soon as 48 hours. Shortly after the hamper is filled, you have the option to pick it up from our office (UCC 40F) or pick it up from a locker located in the UCC, with instructions on how to open the locker sent via email. The service is completely confidential and is run by a team of dedicated, passionate, and friendly volunteers.

Online Form

Donations

While all donations are valued, monetary donations are highly encouraged since they allow us to flexibly purchase what goods and items are most needed at the food bank.

Donations are also used to purchase gift cards and donate them to students in need. Food donations can be dropped off at our office hours in Room 40F, UCC Building. For larger donations please contact us.

While all food and toiletry donations are very appreciated, the most needed non-perishable items are:

Feminine Hygiene Products
Snacks (Granola Bars, Crackers, etc)
Canned Meats & Fish (eg. tuna)
Canned Fruits and Vegetables
Peanut Butter
Beans
Cereal
Rice
Whole Wheat Pasta
Pasta Sauce
Rolled Oats

Please consider donating $5.00 or whatever you can offer.

Donate Now

Additional Resources

If in need of additional food during this time, please consider the following resources below:

London Food Bank

– You must bring a student card and a proof of income, if any (paystub, OSAP statement).

– There are additional special hours for University/College students on Saturday 9AM – 11AM.

– Address: 926 Leathorne St.

– Hours: Monday – Friday 9AM – 4PM

– Phone Number: (519)-659-4045

– Website: www.londonfoodbank.ca

St. Paul's Social Services Food Bank

– Every Monday and Wednesday from 11:30am-12:30pm, they serve hot lunches (soup and sandwiches), not including holidays

– St. Paul’s Social Services provides an emergency three-day supply of food including fresh eggs, milk powder, peanut butter, canned fish and fresh produce

– Address: 472 Richmond St.

– Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM – 11:30AM

– Phone Number: (519)-434-8979

– Website: http://stpaulssocialservices.ca/

The Salvation Army: Basic Needs Program

– Bring ID for all household members and a proof of London Address

– Addresses and Website: https://londoncfs.ca/programs-services/bnp/

– Hours: Monday-Friday 8AM – 3:30PM

– Phone Number: (519)-661-0343 x227

SOGS Food Bank Program

– Provides grocery store gift cards of $100 per applicant that can be used at Loblaws-owned grocery stores for graduate students

– Form must be filled out in advance

– Teaching Assistants are not able to apply for this program

– Website: https://sogs.ca/foodbank/#:~:text=ABOUT%20the%20SOGS%20Food%20bank,Canadian%20Superstore%2C%20Shopper’s%20Drugmart).

PSAC 610 Food Support Fund

– Fund for those who experience financial shortage that affects their ability to purchase food

– Each successful applicant will receive $75 plus $25 for every dependent in their household (e.g., spouse, children) to a maximum of $175 per term

– For TAs and Post-Docs only

– Website: https://www.psac610.ca/teaching-assistant-benefits (under Food Support Fund)

Free Meal Calendar and Food Bank List in London

Visit www.info.london.on.ca/meal.asp for a free meal calendar in London, ON and a list of food banks found in London.

Contact

Office Location
Directions: We are located on the Western University campus, at the University Community Centre (UCC), in Room 40F. We are located in the basement floor near the Peer Support Centre. Please contact us should you need further assistance locating us.
Miriam Youssef (Food Support Services Coordinator), foodsupport@westernusc.ca

Office Hours
Open Monday to Thursday, 10 am – 4 pm

Social Accounts
Instagram: @USCFoodSupport
Facebook: @USCFoodSupport

Please note that the hours are subject to change, and we will try our best to keep the information updated on our website.