UNews - local food

Food bank continues to serve a valuable need

trevor.kenney — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:34:28 +0000

Bringing Home The Bacon challenge on throughout February

The phrase "one must eat well in order to learn well," has never been truer than it is today.

Twenty years ago, graduate students at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta launched the first campus food bank and today there are more than 70 student food banks nationwide. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union (ULSU) is proud to be the host of one of those food banks.

The issue of starving students comes as a result of a number of factors, including increased tuition rates, a shortage of youth jobs and ever-rising food prices. The reality is that most students rely on some form of financial assistance to supplement their post-secondary educations and all too often they stretch their funds by going without healthy meals.

The ULSU recognizes the financial constraints involved with post-secondary education and offers students both single and family-sized food hampers that are designed to give those in need a healthy alternative to going hungry. However, the food bank is a limited resource, as it is a volunteer-based service that relies completely on donations in order to survive. Events such as the Faculty Food Bank Fundraiser are hosted by the Students' Union to help meet the food bank's needs.

For the month of February, bright pink piggy banks can be spotted in departments throughout the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Faculty, staff and students are all asked to dig deep and "donate some bacon." The fundraiser entices its contributors by offering a foodie gift basket and snacks delivered to the department that donates the most bacon, metaphorically speaking.

"This year, I thought it would be a good idea to add some incentive to the project by offering a food-based prize," says organizer Brady Schnell, ULSU vice-president Operations and Finance. "Last year, $298 was raised and it is my hope to beat that this year by offering a prize and extending the fundraiser to an entire month."

Schnell says that the demand placed on the campus food bank has increased significantly over the last couple years.

"We provided 154 single hampers and 80 family-sized hampers last year," he says. "This past November we provided 45 hampers in a single month!"

The ULSU supports a number of initiatives that benefit the food bank. Just last month, Schnell was involved in a local food and beverage exhibition where student volunteers received enough donations to fill six food hampers and were also given an additional $200 to go towards supporting the food bank's needs.

Schnell says the demand speaks for itself and he's thankful to everyone in the community and at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ who support the needs of students.

To donate to the food bank, look for the pink piggy banks or visit the ULSU in SU180.

An Apple A Day - Eat local, practically

trevor.kenney — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 17:26:40 +0000

Choosing foods that are grown close to home is a great commitment to our environment and our economy, but it does have its challenges during Canadian winters.

The Bull's-eye Diet is a practical way to eat as much local food as you can, while supplementing with other foods as needed.

The Bull's-eye model thinks of food sources as a dartboard. Each 'ring' of the dartboard represents a geographical region. The centre of the dartboard (or bull's-eye) represents foods grown close to home and as you move farther away from the centre of the bull's-eye, the foods are grown farther away from you.

The goal is to choose as many foods as you can that are grown as geographically as close to you as possible, then getting other items such as coffee, olive oil or spices from farther away.

What's grown in Canada that you can choose?

Blueberries, apples: are grown all over Canada with BC, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Quebec growing the largest quantities.

Wheat: Saskatchewan and Alberta grow the largest quantity of wheat in the country.

Milk and alternatives: milk, yogurt and cheese are made right here in Canada, with Ontario and Quebec having the most dairy farms.

Meat and alternatives: beef, lamb, bison, venison, chickens, eggs and pluses – including lentils, chickpeas and dried peas and beans are all produced in Canada.

Freezing or canning vegetables and fruit while they are available in the summer is one way that helps you eat locally in the winter months.

For help making simple and effective changes in your nutrition plan, call the Health Centre at 403-329-2484 to book an individual nutrition consultation with Diane Britton. Initial sessions are $40 for university students and employees.

Diane Britton is the registered dietitian at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge

For a look at the March issue of the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Rotaract curling bonspiel on Saturday

trevor.kenney — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:08:40 +0000

As part of World Rotaract Week, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Rotaract Club will be holding its first curling bonspiel in support of the Lethbridge & Interfaith Food Banks as well as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Student Food Bank.

Rotaract invites the community to join them on Saturday, Mar. 13 at the Lethbridge Curling Club from 3 to 5 p.m. for a family-friendly afternoon of curling and fellowship.

"This isn't going to be a competitive event," says Rotaract vice-president administration, Samantha Gilbert. "It's just a chance for Rotaract, Rotary and community members to spend a fun afternoon together in support of local food banks."

Although this is Rotaract's first bonspiel this is not their first World Rotaract Week event. Every year Rotaract clubs from around the world commemorate the charter of the first Rotaract Club in North Carolina in 1968. Past World Rotaract Week projects have included hosting a pancake breakfast at the YWCA and picking up garbage around the U of L campus.

"We're excited to be supporting the local food banks this year, including the Student Food Bank at the U of L," says Gilbert. "Local Rotary clubs are also supporting them this month as part of Food Bank Month and we wanted to do our part."

Community members of all ages are encouraged to register their team of four by contacting rotaract@uleth.ca by Friday, Mar. 12 to register. Cost is $10/person to register, along with a non-perishable food item donation. Olympic theme costumes are encouraged, with prizes for the best costumes.

The U of L Rotaract Club is a not-for-profit service club that is part of the Rotary International.

With over 7,000 Rotaract clubs in 163 countries worldwide, the U of L Rotaract Club fundraises, volunteers and most importantly raises awareness for both local and international need.

For more information, contact Samantha Gilbert (403-715-4970).

UNews - local food

Food bank continues to serve a valuable need

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An Apple A Day - Eat local, practically

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Rotaract curling bonspiel on Saturday

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