From all corners of campus, members of the StFX community teamed together Nov. 26 to make an impact on food insecurity, stuffing the ‘Xavier Express’ bus with donations of non-perishable food and hygiene items in support of two essential organizations: Kevin’s Corner Student Food Resource Centre at StFX and the Antigonish Community Food Bank, both members of Feed Nova Scotia.
The StFX community generously provided over $29,218 in financial donations and contributed 1,650 lbs of non-perishable items to stuff the Xavier Express parked outside Morrison Hall. Food donations support both Kevin’s Corner and the Antigonish Community Food Bank. Cash donations are received in support of Kevin’s Corner.
Additionally, every dollar raised for Kevin’s Corner was matched by the J & W Murphy Foundation, up to $5,000. The foundation provides generous support to critical initiatives such as food insecurity. With the foundation's matching gift, StFX reached $34,218 in donations.
The event, annually organized on campus by the StFX Advancement and People and Culture, is part of Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement all about giving back and helping others. StFX is part of a collaborative campaign involving all universities and colleges across Nova Scotia.
About 40 per cent of post-secondary students in Canada are food insecure. At StFX, about 70 students access Kevin’s Corner daily for food assistance.
J & W Murphy Foundation co-director Lisa Murphy, speaking on behalf of herself and co-director Karen Spaulding, said, “Given the tough economic times many people are in, I think it’s a lot to ask students to worry about what's in their cupboards when they are devoting themselves to learning that can make all the difference for them and for society. That’s why we are thrilled to be part of Giving Tuesday again. I love that this is a provincewide initiative. But more than that, I love that it makes the wider community more aware of how hard it is to earn a university degree and that we can all do something to make that journey easier.”
Emilie Chiasson, StFX Manager, Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving, says Stuff the Bus and Giving Tuesday support an incredibly important topic—food insecurity. “Food security is human requirement. By donating food or funds it shows that we care for our students and community members. Our alumni, faculty and staff have come together to make big impact. The Xaverian spirit has shone brightly!"
Kevin’s Corner is a free, confidential, and accessible food resource centre on campus, open to all StFX students. The centre is named in memory of Kevin Fraser, a former Sodexo Food Services manager at StFX who was known for ensuring the best for StFX students with his caring and thoughtful nature.
Online donations can be made anytime to support Kevin’s Corner at www.stfx.ca/give
