Calgary universities see increased demand for food banks

Calgary post-secondary students are depending more on food banks and food security services this year due to inflation and the rising cost of living – and those running the programme are preparing for increasing use of their services, reports CBC News.

The campus food bank at the University of Calgary has already seen demand rise by almost half, according to Naomie Bakana, vice-president internal for the students’ union. The costs of most basic items have gone up significantly. Bakana said the service has already had a 40% increase in demand after reaching a record high throughout the 2023-24 academic year.

The story is largely the same at Mount Royal University. The students’ association at the south Calgary post-secondary institution doesn’t have a traditional food bank service. Instead, it offers and operates food security programmes, which include free breakfasts, campus food drives and a food cupboard. They also refer students who need longer-term assistance to the Calgary Food Bank.
Full report on the CBC News site