UNews - ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Housing Services

New emergency food program launched for students living in residence

caroline.zentner — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 19:55:19 +0000

Students living in residence at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge now have access to emergency food thanks to a grant from the Food for Thought committee.

The Residence Life team developed the Resident Emergency Food Fund (REFF) in response to reports of food going missing from communal fridges. The Residence Life team works to ensure students are connected with all the services they need, including food. While first-year students living in residence are required to be on a dining plan, making the plan last the entire academic year can be a challenging task for students living away from home for the first time. Likewise, continuing students who aren’t on a dining plan can also find themselves short of food.

Shanna Brown, Campus Life Housing Coordinator.

In some instances, not having enough food can drive students into taking on outside jobs to make ends meet, which also diminishes the time they have available to focus on their studies and function day-to-day.

“Students were asking us about the food insecurity measures within residence, and we didn’t really have anything established,” says Shanna Brown, Campus Life Housing Coordinator.

The team applied to the Food for Thought committee and received a $2,500 grant, which will provide grocery store gift cards and meal vouchers for the Chartwells food outlets on campus.

“We are extremely grateful to the Food for Thought committee as these funds will help us reduce food insecurity within our residences,” says Brown. “REFF is available for all of our residents, whether they’re first-year or continuing, regardless of their income.”

To access the program, students will be asked to fill out an application form and meet with a member of the Residence Life team, who will determine the long-term support needs. Along with the short-term support of a grocery card or food voucher, students will get help with long-term planning, resources and referrals.

“Supporting our students’ access to nutritious food remains a key priority on campus, and we’re excited to continue exploring initiatives like this that make a real difference. By working together, we can help ensure our students have what they need to thrive and enjoy the best possible academic experience,” say Food for Thought co-chairs Diana Letts and Crystal Volk.

Additional Food for Thought programming for students includes The Bodega, a food-sharing hub where students can pick up snacks, non-perishables, hygiene products and gently used kitchenware items; food literacy workshops; free fresh produce events and the Campus Roots Community Garden.

Hugs from Home gives ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students a much-needed boost

caroline.zentner — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 19:40:11 +0000

At a time when students are facing multiple stressors including mid-term exams and assignments coming due, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Bookstore and Housing Services have joined forces for the Hugs from Home support campaign.

Parents of students living in residence were invited by postcard to order Hugs from Home packages online from the Bookstore. They chose from two unique packages, one which contained a mug, hot chocolate and chocolate bars and another that included treats like cookies and popcorn. Parents could also add other items to customize the gift for their student. The Bookstore packaged the gifts, along with an encouraging message sent by parents, for Housing Services to distribute.

Madina Ali, left, accepts a Hugs from Home gift package from Laura Correal, residence life education coordinator.

“I think it’s an amazing program and I love getting a Hug from Home gift,” says Madina Ali, a fourth-year student from Calgary. “In my fourth year, I did not think my parents were going to send me one. We’re in the part of the semester where exams are taking over and everyone’s mental health has kind of taken a dip. Getting the email that I’ve got a hug to pick up, my heart just warmed.”

“We participated in the Hugs from Home program because we wanted to make Madina smile,” says Ambreen Ali, Madina’s mother. “We know the stress of exams and assignments and living on your own and we wanted our daughter to know we are thinking of her. We can’t physically be there to give her a supportive hug, but we can make her feel our support this way.”

Madina, who works as a residence assistant and is a representative on the U of L Students’ Union, knows other students feel the same way.

“People really like Hugs from Home because it’s a reminder that, even if you’re not with your family, they’re still always thinking about you,” she says. “Even though you’re away and becoming your own independent person, you still have your family supporting you.”

Not only are students dealing with extra pressures on the academic side, returning students are getting used to living on campus again after spending last year learning remotely due to COVID-19.

“Hugs from Home came at a really crucial time for students,” says Laura Correal, residence life education coordinator with U of L Housing Services. “They’ve been in the groove of school for a while and midterms are picking up. It’s an overwhelming time. Everyone comes in and they’re very excited to have that little gift they weren’t expecting at a time when it’s really needed.”

The Hugs from Home program, now in its fourth year, has always been popular, but this year it sold out. Annette Bright, Bookstore manager, suspects it’s because, for both first- and second-year students, it’s their first year on campus. Some parents have even purchased extra gifts to donate to other students in need.

“Parents are so appreciative because they were thinking about how they could connect with their student to let them know they’re thinking about them and that they’re behind them,” says Bright.

Housing Services accepting applications

trevor.kenney — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 20:56:03 +0000

The Fall 2010 Semester may have just started but ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Housing Services is already looking forward to the Fall 2011 Semester and filling their residence openings.

Housing Services is now accepting applications to residence for the 2011-2012 academic year, and with spots filling up quickly, urges students to apply as soon as possible.

Residence at the U of L is home to 587 single students living across five buildings. The U of L also has additional accommodations for approximately 30 students with families.

Living in residence is an opportunity to forge lasting friendships, live in a vibrant and diverse community and be on the doorstep of all the U of L has to offer.

Residence students are also afforded leadership opportunities and even scholarships available exclusively to on-campus students.

Students can stop by the Housing Services (C420, 403-329-2584) office for more information, or apply online at www.uleth.ca/housing.

UNews - ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Housing Services

New emergency food program launched for students living in residence

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UNews - ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Housing Services

Hugs from Home gives ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students a much-needed boost