Mount Royal students union ‘care cupboards’ address food insecurity

To address food insecurity issues on campus, the Students Association of Mount Royal (SAMRU) launched a special program to give free food and hygiene products to students.

New “care cupboards” have been installed in five areas on campus, stocked with items like fresh fruits, snacks, yogurt, sanitary napkins, tampons, masks and condoms.

Lisa Antichow, service manager for the SAMRU, says 2020 faculty research led to the creation of the program.

“What they found at that time was that ten per cent of students on campus are struggling with food insecurity and of that ten per cent, about 75 per cent were struggling severely,” Antichow said. “So what that means is that they might be not being able to afford to eat, they might be skipping meals, because they couldn’t afford it. So instead of having students come to our to Wyckham House to access services, we could meet them where they were at.”

Funding for the “care cupboards” comes from independent donations and not student fees. She adds the university is looking at expanding the program, but not a priority right now.

“We are just focused on delivering the service that we have, and doing it effectively,” Antichow said. “But it would be great in a few years’ time if we could expand this around campus.”

Evan J., a student at Mount Royal University (MRU), says the more cupboards the better.

“I’m sure it helps a lot of people out, if there are more of them, I think that would be sweet. They would be more full more often, then why not,” Evan said.

Mayara Montero, another MRU student, says she knows how important good nutrition is, so everyone should have access to it.

“I just like that it’s providing access to resources for all students because I know some people come here who may not have enough money for food or if they are rushed,” Montero said.

The “care cupboards” are replenished twice a week, but Antichow says they are so popular, that they’re empty by the end of the same day they’re stocked.