Guelph Student FoodBank: Fall 2021 Updates and Re-Registration Information

A message from the coordinator: Hi everyone! My name is Kandace and I am the new FoodBank Coordinator for the 2021 - 2022 school year. Many of you have met me already, and I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you throughout the semester. I am excited to be part of the team here at the Guelph Student FoodBank and wanted to reiterate that my primary role here is to provide support to you, our lovely visitors.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have about FoodBank operations, events / activities, or even just for recipe ideas! I’m here to help and am grateful for the opportunity to serve you! I can be reached at foodbank@uoguelph.ca [1] or 519-824-4120 x52242.

 Below you will find more information regarding our re-registration process, as well as some updates that will be in effect as of October 1, 2021. All current FoodBank visitors are required to re-register for our services by October 1, 2021. You can do so by completing the Intake Form on our website, csaonline.ca/foodbank. It is necessary to re-register so that we may compile data that best reflects the work we do, so we can continue to serve you!

Before you re-register for our services, please consider the following: 

What is food insecurity?
Food insecurity is the inadequate or insecure access to food due to financial constraints. It is a serious problem in Canada that negatively impacts physical, mental, and social health, and costs our healthcare system considerably. 

What is a food emergency?
A food emergency refers to the inability to access enough nutritious food to support wellbeing for oneself and/or one’s dependents, or the uncertainty that one will be able to do so. This is often due to a lack of funds. A dependent is defined as those who rely on your income for support and is limited to your spouse/partner and children only.

You may be experiencing a food emergency  if you answer yes to any of the following questions, or if you fear they will apply to your circumstances within the next month:

In the past month, have you worried that food would run out before you got money to buy more?
In the past month, have you been unable to afford groceries after the food in your home has run out?
In the past month, have you been unable to afford nutritious, balanced meals?
In the past month, have you or your dependents relied on only a few kinds of low-cost food because you were running out of money to buy food?
In the past month, have you been unable to provide your dependents with nutritious, balanced meals because you couldn't afford it?
In the past month, have your dependents not eaten enough because you couldn't afford enough food?
In the past month, did you or your dependents ever eat less, cut the size of your meals or skip meals because there wasn't enough money for food?
In the past month, were you ever hungry but didn't eat because you couldn't afford enough food?
In the past month, did you lose weight because you didn't have enough money for food?
In the past month, did you or your dependents ever not eat for a whole day because there wasn't enough money for food?
In the past month, were any of your dependents ever hungry but you couldn't afford more food?

If none of these circumstances apply to you, you may not require our services. Please contact the FoodBank Coordinator at foodbank@uoguelph.ca [1] to discuss alternative resources that may be available to you. 

Updates and Reminders

Currently, the University of Guelph requires all visitors to complete their COVID screening [2] before visiting campus. This is a necessary procedure to ensure everyone stays safe, and we thank those of you who have consistently been completing these questionnaires before visiting campus. A reminder that you are required to show confirmation that you completed the Daily COVID Screening Form prior to entering the FoodBank for your appointment.
As of October 1, 2021, toilet paper will no longer be listed as a free item. Moving forward, 2 rolls of toilet paper will count as one item towards your monthly limit.
A friendly reminder to bring your own bags to your appointment, as we do not always have bags or boxes in stock.
If you are unable to attend your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so we can arrange to have another visitor come for that time slot.

Share Your Thoughts

If you have ideas about how the FoodBank can work to serve you better, have questions regarding any of the above information, or require any additional support, please reach out!

Kandace, FoodBank Coordinator