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News Release

April 09, 2007

Donations to Food Banks, Charities Top $100,000

University of Guelph students continue to set records in the amount of food and money raised for local charities.

They brought in more than $102,000 worth of food and donations through the “Trick or Eat” and “Skip a Meal” programs, according to final figures released this week. The food collection initiatives are part of Meal Exchange, a student-run national charity. The Guelph chapter is managed and operated through the Central Student Association.

In addition, U of G’s varsity athletes donated more than 1,100 food items to the Chalmers Community Services Centre in Guelph. Gryphon rowing team captain Liam Brennon, a fourth-year international development student, approached the Department of Athletics with the idea of creating some friendly competition between intercollegiate teams by holding a canned food drive.

The week-long competition culminated at the Gryphon athletics banquet March 30. The success of the food drive inspired student athletes to now make the competition an annual event.

“Trick or Eat” has students collecting non-perishable food items on Halloween night for the Guelph Food Bank. Together, U of G and the City of Guelph set a national record for the largest amount of food collected.

“Skip a Meal” involves students donating points from their meal plans, which are used to buy wholesale products for 19 Guelph-area food banks, drop-in centres and neighbourhood groups.

Another food collection initiative called “Clear the Shelves” is continuing in campus residences through the exam period. Donations are being accepted at locations across campus, including in the University Centre.

“The University of Guelph chapter has always been one of the most successful thanks to the hard work and dedication of the student volunteers,” said Jessica Pudwell, education and promotions co-ordinator for Meal Exchange. The organization aims to engage students from 40 Canadian campuses in solving the problem of hunger in their communities.

“At times it is hard to convey to the students at the University of Guelph what a difference they have made through what may seem like small donations,” said Pudwell. “But U of G students, you are having an impact. The agencies as well as the members of Meal Exchange are truly grateful for your ongoing support.”