Food for Thought: SAMRU’s Food Security Programs

If you’ve ever been sitting in class and felt the familiar pang of hunger in your stomach, you aren’t alone. And if your mind starts wandering away from what your professor is saying to where your next meal is coming from, you certainly aren’t alone there either. 

Food insecurity is the lack of money or time needed to eat a healthy, balanced diet and is closely linked with financial insecurity. According to this 2021 report, surveys done at Canadian universities over the past decade have revealed that an estimated 30-40% of students consistently experience food insecurity. You can find SAMRU’s financial security resources here! 

SAMRU is here to help you out with your next meal to focus more on your studies. Here are some of the Food Security programs that you can access as a student at MRU.

The Peer Support Centre in Wyckham House provides free, nutritious breakfast to students who need it. The PSC’s Free Breakfast program is a barrier-free program, so no student will ever be questioned for assessing this service.

Free breakfast begins at 8:45 a.m. Monday through Friday during the Fall and Winter semesters. 

Students can access the food & hygiene cupboard in the Peer Support Centre (Z210) as many times as needed. 

If you need longer-term assistance, you can access the Calgary Food Bank through our referral process.

The Good Food Box, a barrier-free program operated by Community Kitchen, allows students to purchase a box of fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables at an affordable cost. 

You can fill out this form to place your order. Visit SAMRU Reception (Z222) Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Orders can be paid for by cash, credit, or debit.

Campus Food Drive

SAMRU accepts food and hygiene donations year round! Donations help support the Peer Support Centre’s Food and Hygiene Cupboard. Extra food donations are given to the Calgary Food Bank.

Drop off non-perishable food items and hygiene products at the donation boxes set up at participating departments in the university or at the Peer Support Centre (Z210). 

External Resources

Food Bank

The Peer Support Centre is a referral agency and depot of the Calgary Food Bank, and hampers are available to all eligible individuals. 

Please drop by the Peer Support Centre (Z210) Monday to Friday between 8:45 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to fill out an application form with one of our volunteers.

Mobile Grocery Store

Fresh Routes mobile grocery store is a community-driven grocery store on wheels that increases the availability of healthy and affordable foods in under-served neighbourhoods of Calgary. 

Fresh Routes is a collaboration between the City of Calgary, the Institute for Community Prosperity, Leftovers Calgary, local vendors, and community groups.

SAMRU’s Peer Support Centre provides students with these peer-led, barrier-free services and acts as a resource link between students and all parts of the campus community to ensure students achieve their goals. The PSC also connects students to external resources off campus through references and referrals. 

Peer Support Centre (Z210)

Monday to Friday closed on weekends

Fall-Winter 8:45 a.m.-4:00 p.m.403-440-6269 | peersupport@samru.ca