College food bank scores after Selkirk Saints food drive
By Bob Hall
A weekend food drive at a pair of Selkirk College Saints hockey games scored valuable resources for the Selkirk College Food Bank.
The student-initiated food drive took place at the Castlegar & District Recreation Complex on Jan. 8 and 9 where the Saints were kicking off the second half of their B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL) season with a pair of exhibition games against North Dakota’s Williston State. Over the two days, the food drive collected almost 1,000 items. Cash donations were also received which will be used to purchase foods more familiar to international students.
“This went beyond our expectations,” says Jane Green, an instructor in the Selkirk College Classroom & Community Support Worker Program. “We are grateful to all the generous hockey fans who contributed to this important student service at the college.”
On Friday night, students in the Community & Classroom Worker Program, Early Childhood Care & Education Program, Social Service Worker Program, and Human Services Diploma Program volunteered collecting food items. On Saturday night, it was students from Selkirk International who took the lead.
“One of the great moments of the weekend was when Deb McIntosh from the Castlegar Community Harvest Food Bank showed up with a carload of items to donate,” says Green. “It really shows how important the connection is between the community and the college. It was very touching.”
The Selkirk College Food Bank provides confidential access for students. It is available on all campuses/extension centres and can be accessed by contacting the students’ union or campus manager. Donations are always accepted at any location.
The Saints helped round out a successful weekend by defeating Williston State 12-3 on Friday and 7-2 on Saturday. The Saints will now travel to the Lower Mainland this coming weekend where they will take on Trinity Western University, Simon Fraser University and the University of Victoria.
