Food Bank
no student should have to choose between paying for school and eating.
Purpose
Food Bank is dedicated to reducing food insecurity by providing short-term, emergency support so students can continue to succeed academically while maintaining their health and well-being
Why?
University can be expensive, and unexpected financial challenges can happen to anyone. By providing free food parcels, emergency hot meals, and essential items, the Food Bank helps students focus on what matters most—their health, well-being, and academic success.
Hours of Operation
Food Parcel Program
Operates all calendar year long. Processing times may be longer during holidays
Emergency Hot Meal Program
Only available from September - April
Get in Touch
Waterloo Campus
foodbank@wlu.ca
Brantford Campus
lbfoodbank@wlu.ca
No student should have to choose between buying groceries and succeeding at school.
​The Food Bank aims to help undergraduate students dealing with food insecurity. Food insecurity refers to the inability to acquire or consume a balanced diet that is of adequate quality and quantity. This can oftentimes create challenges sustaining one’s wellbeing: physically, mentally, and academically.
Food Bank Parcel Program
This service offers a completely free parcel service that operates throughout the full calendar year, providing food and hygiene parcels that accommodate most dietary restrictions and typically last a week or more.
​
​​
​
​
​
​Emergency Hot Meal Program (Only available September - April)
On the Waterloo campus, there is a collaborative program between the Students' Union and Laurier's Food Services to provide Dining Hall access to students in need of an emergency Hot Meal. Please note that the Food Bank Emergency Hot Meal Program is not meant to be an ongoing support and should be used in one-off dire situations where a meal is needed.
​
On the Brantford campus, there is a collaborative program with The Belmont to provide food vouchers for students in need of an emergency hot meal. These vouchers can be redeemed for an entree at The Belmont. Please note that the Food Bank Emergency Hot Meal Program is not meant to be an ongoing support and should be used in one-off dire situations where a meal is needed.
​
​
​
Emergency Hot Meal Program is only available from September - April.
A Message from Your Student's Union Food Bank Coordinators
Hey Golden Hawks! Welcome to another exciting year here at Laurier! Whether you’re new to Laurier or coming back to another semester, we are glad you’re here. Our names are Yousif and Melinda, and we are the Food Bank Coordinators for the Waterloo Campus within the Students’ Union. We are looking forward to helping make campus an inclusive and supportive environment where no student should have to choose between paying for school and eating.
The Students’ Union Food Bank is here to support students experiencing food insecurity by providing access to free, confidential food parcels and essential hygiene products. Our goal is to help reduce barriers so students can focus on their academic success and overall physical and mental well-being.
​
Yousif Hikmat &
Melinda Kroes
​Here's what we're working on this year:
-
Exciting events throughout the year, including fresh food markets
-
Partnerships with student clubs, committees, and the community to support the student body
-
Exciting events throughout the year, including fresh food markets
-
Providing educational resources focused on food nutrition, budgeting, and community resources
​
Hi Golden Hawks!
I hope you are so excited for another amazing year at Laurier! I am Jordan Ganley and I am the Students' Union Food Bank Coordinator for the Brantford Campus. I am so excited to help make sure all students get access to resources they need through this year!
The Food Bank is here to support students by providing free, confidential food and hygiene parcels to all students. Our goal is to help take some of the pressure off so you can focus on what really matters like school and everything else in your life.
​
​
Jordan Ganley
What You Can Expect This Year:
-
Fast and reliable parcel pickups so you can access food and hygiene items when you need them.
-
Fun events like our caffeine cart, because everyone needs a pick-me-up during exams.
-
Awareness campaigns about our services, because we want every student to know about our resources.
-
Opportunities to volunteer with us if you want to get involved.
Whether you need our services, want to volunteer, or just want to learn more, we'd love to connect with you!
.jpg)
How does the parcel program work?
1.
Fill out and submit the Food Parcel Request Form​
2.
​Receive an email within 2 -4 business days with on campus pick up instructions.
-
All Laurier students are eligible to submit a request for a Food Bank parcel.
-
This service is a pick-up-only service with a turnaround time of 2-4 business days.
-
All information collected is for the statistical purposes of your Students' Union Food Bank only. Only the Food Bank will have access to this information. Your confidentiality is assured.
-
We will accommodate specific item requests as best we can, while supplies last.
-
Special circumstances will always be considered.
Waterloo Campus
Contact: foodbank@wlu.ca
Office Location: Students' Union Offices 2nd floor of the Fred Nichols Campus Centre
​
Hours of Operation: all calendar year long
​
Locker Pick Up Locations: Campus-wide​​
Brantford Campus
Contact: lbfoodbank@wlu.ca
Office Location: Students' Union Offices 1st floor of the Student Centre
​
Hours of Operation: all calendar year long
​
Locker Pick Up Locations: Student Centre​​
Additional Supports
Dean of Students Office: If you are also experiencing significant personal or financial challenges, including food and housing insecurity, you are encouraged to book a Care and Support appointment with the Dean of Students Office. They can help if you are facing extenuating circumstances and are looking for assistance exploring and connecting to campus resources and co-creating a plan for moving forward. Use the following campus-specific links to book an appointment for one-on-one support: Waterloo and Kitchener students; Brantford, Milton, and Virtual students.
On Campus and Off Campus
Brantford Campus
On-Campus Supports
-
Brantford Distro - free weekly distro on Thursdays from 1pm - 4:30pm. Located in One Market Kitchenette OM207-46
-
Dean of Students - emergency food support in the form of gift cards on an as needed basis. Located in One Market OM207-40
-
Visit in person or email deanofstudents@wlu.ca​
-
-
Student Wellness Centre Food Pantry - weekly non-perishable food items for students in need of emergency support. Located in the Student Centre, 2nd Floor.
-
visit in-person or email chowarth@wlu.ca​
-
-
Freestore - located in the Level One Lounge in One Market Basement level.
-
Pick up and drop off new and/or gently used kitchen supplies free of charge. ​
-
-
Brantford Breakfast Bar - Weekly breakfast bar hosted by CSEDI and Wellness Education. Located in One Market
​
Off-Campus Supports
-
​Faith Evangelic Lutheran Church Pantry - located at 57 Brant Avenue on every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 9am - 11am.
-
bags of food for those who require support​
-
-
Faith First Baptist Church Food Cupboard - located at 70 West Street on Thursdays from 9:30am - 11:30am
-
food packages available every 2 weeks. Bring identification, no prior application required. ​
-
-
Grace Anglican Church - located at 4 Pearl Street every Wednesday at 4:30pm. Additional Free Daily Bread Dinner every Thursday at 4:30pm.
-
Food cupboard for emergency support​
-
-
BL's Little Pantry - 90 Albion Street
-
Pantry location for free food items. Pop up food giveaways every 7 days​
-
-
Brantford Food Bank - 1100 Clarence Street. Call 519-751-4357 to make an appointment.
-
appointments available once per month per household for free food items. ​
-
-
Lonnie's Market - 42 Market Street. Soup kitchen every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from 6pm - 8pm outside their front door.
Waterloo Campus
On-Campus Supports
-
Weekly Distro - hosted by Martin Luther University College and LSPRIG on Thursdays from 12:30pm - 4:30pm. Located at MLU103
-
​Bring your OneCard and a shopping bag for fresh and non-perishable groceries
-
-
The Mini Market - 200 King Street North (located inside King Street Residence) Monday - Thursday 10:00am - 2:00pm.
-
A pay what you can grocery store that stocks perishable and non-perishable foods, heat & eat prepared meals, as well as other essentials like hygiene and household products​
-
Off-Campus Supports
-
Waterloo Region Food Bank - located at 50 Alpine Court, Kitchener
-
offers free food assistance programs around Laurier Waterloo Campus and surrounding areas. ​
-
-
Community Fridge KW - located in the Kitchener Market 300 King Street East Kitchener. Open 24/7
-
take what you need, leave what you can community run food program. ​
-
-
St. John's Kitchen - located at 97 Victoria Street Kitchener, Monday - Friday 9:30am - 4:00pm.
-
Offers free hot meals during the week for those in need.
-
-
Too Good to Go - Mobile App
-
Service that connects customers to restaurants and stores that have surplus of unsold food. Popular usage in Waterloo.
-
Learn more about our Food Bank Volunteer Opportunities
Waterloo Campus
​
-
Coordinator
- Executive Positions​
-
Volunteer Liaison
-
Marketing Executive
-
Events Executive
-
Training Executive
-
Operations Executive
-
-
General Volunteer Members
​
Link directly to the Waterloo application form can be found here​​
Brantford Campus
​
-
Coordinator
-
Executive Positions
-
Volunteer Liaison
-
Marketing Executive
-
Events Executive
-
Operations Executive
-
-
General Volunteer
