This week, I got a chance to speak to Lindsay, a passionate student here at Western University. During Clubs Week in September, there are many available extra-curricular activities to get involved in. One of the biggest and most influential student-run activities here is the University Students Council where Lindsay works as the Food Support Services Coordinator. So I took advantage of the opportunity to ask her a few questions regarding her role and the Food Support Service in general to give everyone a glance of one of the many amazing opportunities here!
Tell me a little bit about yourself and why you decided to get involved in this role?
My role is the Food Support Services Coordinator. I actually applied to this position kind of on a whim. I was taking an Education course in the Community class last year and did a project about a local organization that teaches individuals about local food systems. I became really interested in food systems and through this, became aware of the issue of food insecurity. When I saw the posting for the FSS coordinator role I thought that it would be the perfect opportunity to not only expand my knowledge about this topic, but also teach others what I already knew and teach students that food insecurity is something that affects a lot of people here are Western.
What is the USC and what is the Food Support Services?
The USC is the student government body here at Western. Within the Internal portfolio, there is the Peer Support Network, which is a network comprised of numerous services spanning a variety of topics, such as health and wellness and ethnocultural support, of which food support services is one of these services. FSS is an anonymous food hamper system that provides students in need of assistance with non-perishable food items. Each hamper provided includes approximately 3 days worth of food. These hampers are put into lockers and the locker information is then sent to the student and they are free to pick up the hamper whenever they want, completely anonymously.
So who in particular is able to use the Food Support Services? How would they go about it?
FSS is a service that any UWO or affiliate student can access. Students request hampers online by filling out the request form found on the USC website and submitting it to the coordinator email. Food items are acquired by our service mainly through donations. This year, we had an overwhelming amount of support from both staff and students at UWO which has allowed our service to help more than 140 students.
What are ways someone who is interested in getting into what you do, actually get involved?
The best way for students to get involved with our services is to get involved with our executive member team. This team helps plan and organize events, as well as deliver food hampers to students. If students have any questions they can always email our service at foodsupport@westernusc.ca or come visit our booths in the atrium during our awareness days (our last one of the year is next Wednesday April 8th!).
Overall, it was a pleasure speaking to Lindsay with her great attitude and spirit. Lindsay’s role as a Food Support Services Coordinator is just one of thousands of opportunities that are offered to our beloved Mustangs. Especially as an AEO, it is important to build your involvement as soon as you arrive at university. It becomes a lot easier after a first year of being on a team to further advance during your second year, onto bigger, better, more responsible roles–for an example, an executive member of USC. Needless to say, even the smallest involvements create a big impact. This was just a glimpse of what happens behind the scenes for one role here at Western. You can just imagine how many leaders are involved within our community to create what is known as the best student experience. As well, I think it’s important to note how many services students and the university in unison, have initiated to help out every single student during his or her time of need. The Western community supports you!
Until next time,
Peiling