Since its launch in the spring, the Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Campus Food Pantry has built a welcoming environment to help address food insecurity.  

This staff-, student-, and faculty-led initiative is part of a larger effort to combat the growing issue of food insecurity affecting postsecondary students across Ontario.  

“This project was initiated from a place of care and support, recognizing a need and striving to respond in a meaningful and impactful way,” said Corinn Phillips, Assistant Director, Student Wellness at Trent Durham GTA. “The creation and ongoing growth of the pantry has been a genuine community effort.”  

Located in Trent Durham’s Building B, the pantry offers students an accessible, grocery store-style experience. With the addition of a fridge and freezer, students have access to perishable items, enhancing the variety and nutritional value of available food options alongside establishing a community partnership that provides on-going donations.

The Campus Pantry provides students with the option of private appointments. Students can shop based on their preferences and individual or family needs. This approach ensures that students and their families feel supported in a way that respects their dignity while addressing their specific dietary needs. 

Students also play an active role in supporting the pantry. Food security programming assistants are students hired to oversee daily operations, which include restocking shelves, promoting donation opportunities, and meeting with students to help them select items according to their needs.  

“Food insecurity can impact a person’s mental and physical health and contribute to compound stresses associated with being a student,” said Margaret Gaidychuk, a food security program assistant and third-year student in the Policing and Community Well-Being program. “Raising awareness creates understanding and hopefully encourages individuals to seek out help when they need assistance.”  

This fall, students from the Policing & Community Well-Being, Child and Youth Studies, and Communications programs also collaborated to run a food drive, collecting more than 1,800 non-perishable food items to stock the pantry’s shelves. 

Looking to the future, the Trent Durham Campus Food Pantry aims to sustain and expand its impact through sponsorships, volunteer opportunities, and community events. Students seeking support can access the pantry by submitting a request through their MyTrent portal.  

Staff, faculty, and community members are welcome to donate to the food pantry initiative.