Sign up for the paNOW newsletter

P.A.’s First Nations University campus introduces affordable lunches

Oct 4, 2017 | 5:00 PM

Students whose busy lives or tight budgets don’t allow for lunches at school are getting a solution for their grumbling stomachs.

The First Nations University of Canada Campus in the Gateway to the North is now offering an affordable lunch program. According to Trevor Dubois, a student coordinator, the hot meals fulfill a need for students.

“Many of our students are parents so a lot of them come to school and they’re worried about feeding their kids and they forget to feed themselves,” Dubois said. “We believe with a full stomach, it gives them an opportunity to learn more.”

He said the program was made a reality through a partnership between the First Nations University’s student union, along with the University of Regina’s student union and the Canadian Mental Health Association. Each university pays a quarter of the cost, leaving the students to pick up the remainder.

The affordable lunch program is the first of its kind according to Dubois. He said he called various universities to find out what was available in other institutions. Many offered cafeteria and other for profit models, but none were able to match the $2.50 meal price.

For first year social work student Diana Rodas, being able to grab food during a busy class schedule is a luxury.

“It’s really nice when you’re on a time crunch, all my classes are 15 minutes apart, so I don’t have to worry about packing a lunch,” Rodas said. “Some people are on strict budgets, so I think without having the fear of not being able to eat that day, I think that’d be great.”

Rodas said the low priced meals are “amazing” because it costs almost the same price as a single can of pop. She commended the student union on their work to obtain a low price to better the community.

“I know there’s a lot of people here and a lot of people who struggle with paying for their house and kids, so I think having this here and so affordable will help them budget better,” Rodas said before heading off to her afternoon classes.

Dubois said enough food was prepared for roughly 40 students for the inaugural lunch. Hot soup was served along with bannock, a cookie, and a can of pop. He said the lunches would be served for the rest of the school year three days a week. On Mondays and Fridays, the program isn’t as feasible because there are less students in the building.

“During the initial phases, if we see there is a need for [service on] Mondays and Fridays, we can definitely re-negotiate and add those days as well,” Dubois said.

 

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On twitter: @BryanEneas