Regina, SK — This past Friday, the Leader-Post Foundation Inc. invested in the future of students at the University of Regina by donating to the URSU Cares Pantry. Its contribution of $5000 means the University of Regina Students’ Union (URSU) can continue to offer its members nutritious food items as it strives to address the ongoing problem of food insecurity amongst post-secondary students.
“I saw a story on the local broadcast of CTV News and they were talking to a student about how much their education costs and how the pantry helps them get by,” said Leader-Post Foundation Chair Jim Toth. “Then I heard how donations were badly needed and I thought ‘We can do something’ so that’s what we’re doing.”
“We are beyond grateful for the donation from the Leader-Post Foundation,” saidURSU VP Operations and Finance Derrick Gagnon. “With this contribution we can purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and other perishable foods, and offer students a variety of items and essentials.”
“I was a student once and I used to pay $80 for a course,” said Toth. “Even then though it was tough being a student trying to make ends meet so I know what it can be like.”
The Leader-Post Foundation supports initiatives that have an educational aspect or a humanitarian element to it. “The Pantry program addresses both of those criteria so that’s why we’re glad to contribute,” said Toth. The Leader-PostFoundation also awards five $5000 bursaries to students annually with the application deadline being May 31st.
The funds from the Leader-Post Foundation will help URSU continue the URSUCares Pantry program for the near future but donations are always in need and are being accepted on a regular basis.
“We started the pantry in 2016 with the support of Regina Food Bank. We were overwhelmed right from the start as to the number of students requiring such assistance. The program has flourished and has been one of our fastest growing programs,” said URSU General Manager Carl Flis. “Unfortunately, earlier this fall we were informed that Regina Food Bank could no longer support such mobile outlets due to the growing demand in need of its own clientele and its limited amount of resources to successfully continue to service the growing need throughout the city.”
“That development was not only heart-breaking for us but, more importantly, it was life-altering for all those students who have come to depend on this support from URSU,” Flis added. “The dedication of URSU staff to see this program continue has resulted in much greater awareness throughout the city as to the needs of students and URSU is highly
appreciative of the support network that has been developed.We anticipate other community and university organizations will follow theleadership example set by the Leader-Post Foundation Inc. in the nearfuture.”
URSU is looking for non-perishable food, toiletries, and other essentials that they can distribute to students. To find out how you can donate to the URSUCares Program please visit ursu.ca/donate. Financial contributions are accepted and can be dropped off at the URSU Member ServicesDesk located on the second floor of Riddell Centre (RC 221) from Monday toFriday 8:30am to 4:30pm.
For more information about the URSU Cares Pantry or any of the other servicesURSU provides, please email social@ursu.ca.
