THE UVSS FOOD BANK & FREE STORE

Room: SUB B005
Phone: 250-472-4999
Email: foodbank@uvss.ca

Important

Donate To The UVSS Food Bank & Free Store

This Student Affairs’ annual fundraiser for the UVSS Food Bank & Free Store provides students with basic food and necessities while working to eliminate the stigma around accessing food banks. Once again, Island Savings has generously agreed to match Stock-tober donations up to $2,500!

To make an online donation to the Student Food Bank, please click the button below. All donations made through the online giving page will receive a tax receipt.

Click Here To Make A Donation

Updates

UVSS Student Hamper Program

In lieu of the regular food bank services offered to students in the Student Union Building, the Food Bank is offering self-selected hampers for UVic students. We are excited to be able to continue to offer the important services of the food bank to UVic students and their families throughout this time.

Hamper item options include the following: food items such as eggs, milk, canned food, fresh produce, bread, as well as household items, safer-sex supplies, and menstrual products.

Please fill out the Hamper Request Form by Fridays at noon (12pm) to be included in the pick-up schedule for the following week.

Please ensure you come to the Food Bank & Free Store only at your confirmed appointment time. We are not offering drop-in service at this point.

If you are unable to pick up a hamper, the Food Bank is piloting a limited delivery service! Please fill out this form to determine eligibility, if you are unable to pick up a hamper for all pick-up days and times mentioned. Fill out the form does not automatically register you for delivery; we will determine eligibility and send confirmation.

Hamper Request Form
Delivery Eligibility Form

Location

SUB B005

We are located in the basement of the Student Union Building (next to The Martlet) on the UVic campus. The space is accessible from the stairs and elevator.

Summer Hours (May-August):

  • Tuesday 3:30 – 7:30 pm
  • Wednesday 12-4 pm
  • Thursday 2-6 pm
  • Friday 10 am- 12 pm and 12pm-2pm (for drop-ins only)**

By appointment only. ** Please note that we do drop-ins only on Fridays

Hours subject to change week-to-week. Please email us if you’d like to make an appointment to drop off a donation. If you’d like to receive a food hamper, please complete the Hamper Request Form.

About Us

The UVSS Food Bank & Free Store is run by a team of dedicated staff and volunteers and offers all UVic students access to food essentials and free household items.

With the rising costs of tuition, housing, childcare, and food, we do what we can to provide essential support to undergrad and grad students. Extra resources are available for students supporting families.

Every week, hundreds of UVic students come to the Food Bank & Free Store. To learn more about how to support our service, scroll down to the ‘Donating’ section.

Students can drop by the UVSS Food Bank & Free Store during posted drop-in hours. All services are totally confidential and all current UVic students are welcome to use this service.

Looking for other support networks in the Greater Victoria area? Check out our resource guide for other food banks, free meals, and more.

Goals & Values

The UVSS Food Bank and Free Store is a community space that supports students by supplementing basic food and other supplies, and works to eliminate the stigma surrounding accessing food banks.

Our service strives to create a safer space by acknowledging our trespassing on Lekwungen & WSANEC lands, continually learning and unlearning alongside UVSS advocacy groups, and responding to the needs of students. For more information, please read our Community Guidelines/Safer Spaces policy.

We advocate for and represent our members’ voices by providing them with services, events, and safer inclusive community spaces.

Donating

We happily accept donations, but do not have the capacity to pick up from on-campus or off-campus locations. We ask that you make an appointment to drop off your donation at our Food Bank & Free Store location. Please do not leave any donations in the hallway. Please email us to make arrangements for a donation. Thank you!

Free Store donations must meet the following guidelines:
  • No furniture or large electronics (mini fridges are OK)
  • Must be clean and in working condition
  • Must be useful to someone else!
Food Bank donations must not be expired, open, or homemade. Items that are frequently in demand include:
  • Toiletries such as toothpaste, toilet paper, soap, and dish soap
  • Condiments such as spices, peanut butter, cooking oil, etc.
  • Almond, rice, or soy milk
  • Vegetarian soups
  • Fresh foods such as milk, eggs, and bread
  • Or monetary donations!

Volunteering

Interested in volunteering? We are always looking for new volunteers! Apply here !!

You can also find out more by emailing us at foodbank@uvss.ca.

Partnerships & Support

Our hamper delivery service is made possible through our partnership with Fateh Care Charity. Students who are unable to visit our office at the Student Union Building can avail of this service by filling out the Hamper Delivery Eligibility Form.

Questions or Concerns

Contact our Food Bank & Free Store Officers, Dorsa Crystal and T, by emailing foodbank@uvss.ca or calling us at 250-472-4999

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