Post-secondary students in the Okanagan are among the most food insecure in the country, according to a new study by the University of British Columbia (UBC).
More than 40 per cent of students attending UBC91裸聊视频檚 Okanagan campus either don91裸聊视频檛 have enough money to feed themselves properly or are worried they will soon run out of funding.
This is according to a new study completed by the school91裸聊视频檚 Campus Health VOICE Research Project team, led by Casey Hamilton. Internally, UBC is deep-diving through a newly-launched Food Security Initiative, aiming to more clearly understand food security through consultation with students.
Hamilton and her students regularly tackle varying health issues that impact the well-being of students through community-based research.
One of the biggest speed-bumps affecting students today is food insecurity.
91裸聊视频淛ust over 40 per cent of students (pre-covid) experience what91裸聊视频檚 called household food insecurity, and that is consistent with other universities and college91裸聊视频檚 across Canada,91裸聊视频� said Hamilton.
This is leagues higher than the Canadian household food insecurity average, which sits at around 8.4 per cent (2011-2012), according to the Government of Canada.
91裸聊视频淚 wasn91裸聊视频檛 shocked, but I was sad91裸聊视频 fire is lit under me to help, to see what I can do to change the system91裸聊视频� Poverty and household food insecurity is a national issue 91裸聊视频� and it91裸聊视频檚 a systemic issue. So everybody has a role to play,91裸聊视频� she said.
More support is needed for those experiencing poverty but still want to pursue an education, said Hamilton.
Some students come from families that don91裸聊视频檛 have enough to support them through school. But often, those students feel guilty or ashamed asking for help.
Hunger, and a variety of mental health challenges, result from food insecurity, which ultimately results from poverty, low income or minimal family support. This makes life hard for those taking their first steps into adulthood.
91裸聊视频淥n top of poverty, they91裸聊视频檙e so stressed out. They91裸聊视频檙e so busy. Students have so much on their plates91裸聊视频� Housing is expensive, tuition, books, food, and then all the other things they have to pay for alongside that,91裸聊视频� Hamilton said.
91裸聊视频淏eing food insecure, which means you91裸聊视频檙e hungry and don91裸聊视频檛 have money, is really stressful. You have a hard time focusing, you just feel generally unwell, you91裸聊视频檙e lethargic, exhausted. On top of that, students have demanding workloads.91裸聊视频�
Their study also found that people of colour, Indigenous people, and those with disabilities are even worse off.
The ever-increasing cost of living has also had an adverse effect on food insecurity. For most students, this is a hole they can91裸聊视频檛 easily climb out of.
Some resources are available to students in the Okanagan 91裸聊视频� such as The Pantry, a student union-run on-campus food bank. When in desperate need, students can also use the food banks in either Lake Country or Kelowna.
Those who can, are encouraged to donate to students in need.
The university recently launched a meal share program, which provides emergency funding support to students through meal cards. The program allows students to buy food on campus and is funded through public support. More information is available .
Short-term, this fundraiser will help students in need of immediate support.
Long-term, Hamilton said more needs to change; emergency food banks should be used for exactly that 91裸聊视频� an emergency.
Hamilton stressed the need to increase funding and support for students in poverty.
91裸聊视频淭his comes down to different policies that need to be reviewed, or updated or developed to support equity in our population.91裸聊视频�
To support students in need, .
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: phil.mclachlan@kelownacapnews.com
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