Helping Hands partnership brings food to BU students

A new partnership is helping feed students at Brandon University (BU).

Helping Hands Centre of Brandon has partnered with BU Student Services to make regular deliveries of food that is distributed free to students. The deliveries will arrive every two weeks during the academic year and once per month during the spring and summer. Tables are set up in the Indigenous Peoples’ Centre and the Student Accessibility Services Office, with the first round of food earlier this month being handed out within a day of its arrival. 

Angela Braun, Executive Director Helping Hands, said food insecurity is an issue that occurs throughout the community in many walks of life. 

“When it comes to food security, it doesn’t matter who you are, either you have food or you don’t,” said Angela Braun, Executive Director of Helping Hands. “We’ll share with anybody who needs it if we can.”

Helping Hands receives food that has reached its best before date but is not yet expired from grocery stores and restaurants and distributes the food through its own soup kitchen and with drop-offs to other community organizations. The food they deliver will vary each time based on the donations Helping Hands receives.

“Students were very appreciative to receive the food from the first delivery,” said Katie Whelpton, Dean of Students at BU. “A little bit can mean a great deal to students who are trying to stretch their money farther while focusing on their studies. We’re grateful to Helping Hands for the support they’re providing for our students.”

Those who wish to volunteer at Helping Hands can call them at 204-727-4635 or visit them at 111-7^th Street to fill out a form.

Braun said help is always appreciated.

“We have people bring in their kids, who are as young as three or four, and they’ll hand out cookies, and we have volunteers up to 86 years old,” Braun said.

Helping Hands also accepts donations through their website at HelpingHandsBrandon.ca.

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