Selkirk College Human Services Students Set for Food Drive at Saints Hockey Game
By Bob Hall
Students in Selkirk College’s School of Health & Human Services are starting the new year by giving back to peers who struggle to make ends meet while gaining an education.
Partnering with the student athletes on the Selkirk College Saints, the second annual food drive will take place on Friday (January 8) during an exhibition game against Williston State at the Castlegar Recreation Complex.
Students in the Community & Classroom Worker Program, Early Childhood Care & Education Program, Social Service Worker Program, and Human Services Diploma Program will volunteer at the game where they will be collecting food items that will be donated to the Selkirk College Food Bank.
“One of the grounding principles of all of our Human Services programs is a focus on solutions,” says Jane Green, an instructor in the Classroom & Community Support Worker Program.
“The food drive provides an outlet for generosity and is a solution aimed at tackling poverty, one of the social determinants of health. Simply put, people do better if they are not hungry.”
Selkirk College students will be starting the Winter Semester portion of their studies in the first week of January. It is after the opening weeks of a semester that some students run into trouble and are distracted from their studies by financial pressures.
The food bank operates throughout the year, but during this critical time it’s essential to keep the shelves fully stocked.
“We see increased usage of the food bank service during mid-semester when student’s budgets are challenged or diminished,” says Robin Legere, Selkirk College Students’ Union representative.
For the January 8 food drive, students are asking hockey fans to bring items that require minimal preparation and fit a college student’s busy pace. Breakfast cereals, quick and convenient meals, snack foods, and grab-and-go items that provide an energy boost are all on the list of valued items.
The Selkirk College Food Bank provides confidential access for students. It is available on all campuses/extension centres and can be accessed by contacting the students’ union or campus manager.
After a successful first half of the British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL) season, the Saints return to the ice after winter break includes two exhibition games against Williston State (North Dakota) on January 8 and January 9.
In the second half of the season, the Saints will be resuming their pursuit of a fourth straight league title.
The puck drops on both nights at 7 p.m.
