They’re Doing Everything Right — But Still Going Hungry

They sleep in their cars. They skip meals for days. Some line up at food banks before class, hiding their bags before heading into Mac Hall.

It’s easy to assume these are stories of people experiencing homelessness, living on the fringes of society, struggling with addiction or unemployment. But that’s not the case. 

These are UCalgary students — undergrads, grad students and researchers — who, despite doing everything "right," are stretched so thin by tuition, rent and student loans that they can’t afford to eat.

This is the stark reality that the UCalgary Student Food Security Fund is working to change.

UCALGARY CAMPUS FOOD HUB FEATURE: More Than a Meal: How Students Led UCalgary’s Food Security Movement

The Hidden Hunger Crisis on Campus

While most picture university life as a time of opportunity and growth, for 32 per cent of UCalgary students surveyed, it’s also a time of deep uncertainty about where their next meal is coming from. International students are among the hardest hit, with 42 per cent reporting food insecurity, as well as facing additional barriers like visa restrictions that limit their ability to work. 

The need for support has never been greater — more than 1,500 students accessed the University of Calgary Campus Food Hub in 2024, compared to 900 the previous year. 

The Campus Food Hub is a collaborative effort between Student Experience and Support, Ancillary Services, the Students’ Union and the Graduate Students’ Association. Its aim is to be an “inclusive and student-centred space” for those in need. 

“Food security is having reliable access to food that’s adequate, affordable and aligned with our nutritional needs and personal values,” says Food Hub co-ordinator Heather Ramshaw. “Unfortunately, a lot of Canadians, and students in particular, experience food insecurity every day.”

Why it Matters for Student Success

Food insecurity isn’t always visible, but its impact on students is profound. When students don’t have consistent access to nutritious meals, it affects more than just their physical health. It can compromise their ability to concentrate, retain information and fully engage in their studies and campus life.

“Food insecurity can significantly impact students' physical and mental health,” says UCalgary Alumni Association (UCAA) board member and Student Food Security Fund expert Lorelei Lachambre, MC’05. “Students have enough stress to deal with in their educational programs and should not have to spend time worrying about their next meal.”

Students experiencing food insecurity are also more likely to face increased stress, anxiety and depression — barriers that can derail even the most determined learners.

The symptoms aren’t always dramatic. In fact, food insecurity might look like:

•     Persistent fatigue or low energy;
•     Difficulty focusing or completing assignments;
•     Mood swings and emotional strain; or
•     Withdrawing from class participation or campus activities.

These are the kinds of struggles that often go unnoticed, but they’re very real, and increasingly common. That’s why supporting food security isn’t just about meals — it’s about helping students succeed, thrive and graduate with confidence. That’s why the UCAA Board is stepping up — and inviting alumni everywhere to do the same.

Alumni Stepping Up: Giving Day 2025

Recognizing the urgency of this crisis, the UCAA has made student food security its top priority for Giving Day 2025. From April 2 to April 16, alumni from all backgrounds are asked to help ensure no student has to study on an empty stomach.

Giving Day is your chance to turn a simple act of generosity into lasting change. This year, your gift doesn’t just help a student — it creates a ripple effect across the entire campus community.

Thanks to the UCAA Board, every donation to the Student Food Security Fund will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $2500 per gift, doubling its impact, while funds last. And if you're an alum, there's even more: for every alum who donates during Giving Day, no matter the amount, the UCAA will contribute an additional $50 to the fund — just for showing up.

But it doesn’t stop there. Through the Alumni Unlocking Challenge, when 25 unique alumni donate to any fund from April 2-16, an extra $2,500 will be unlocked for that fund, again while matching funds last. Whether you're giving $10 or $1,000, your participation could unlock thousands more for the causes that matter most.

The Student Food Security Fund supports a range of impactful programs through the Campus Food Hub — like hot $2 lunches through Ladle UP!, subsidized groceries from the Affordable Food Market, $10 meal kits with rotating recipes, and weekly fresh fruit distribution to more than 150 students. It also funds breakfast programs and food literacy workshops, giving students not just access to food, but the knowledge and confidence to make it last.

Where Your Support Goes

Donations to the Student Food Security Fund go directly to programs at the Campus Food Hub, making it possible to scale services and reach more students. A small contribution can have a big impact:

• $15 subsidizes 3 meal kits
• $20 subsidizes 20 hot soup lunches through Ladle UP!
• $50 subsidizes 25 nutritious breakfasts
• $100 helps provide weekly groceries for a student struggling with food insecurity
• $250 supports the expansion of food literacy workshops and nutrition education programs

How You Can Make a Difference

Giving Day is your moment to show students that they’re not alone. That someone who’s walked the same halls, faced the same pressures and once lived on Kraft Dinner and instant ramen still remembers what it was like — and wants to help.

Here’s how to get involved:

• Donate early: Matching funds are limited — your early gift will go even further.
• Spread the word: Share the campaign with friends, classmates and alumni networks.
• Stay connected: Follow along as stories, milestones and impact unfold in real time.

Together, we can make sure no student has to choose between paying rent and eating lunch. On Giving Day 2025, let’s turn our shared UCalgary experience into something powerful — and profoundly nourishing.