Adopt-A-Student Family campaign is back with a boost in support

The Adopt-A-Student Family Campaign is back this year with the help of several departments at Fanshawe.

The initiative that started almost two decades ago aims for helping those students in need of basic necessities, and counts on the community to raise money in order to buy clothes, toys and other essentials.

‘’If one of the students on campus is struggling, in an emergency need for food they can reach out to the sharing shop and fill out a form. We choose from those families that are struggling or those who have some kids and can’t afford Christmas gifts,’’ says Deena Griffin, Marketing Manager at FSU.

Griffin says the campaign works along with the Sharing Shop, a place that provides full-time Fanshawe students, in short-term need of assistance, with grocery items and toiletrie.

‘’We pick the family from the sharing shop, which is our food cupboard on campus. So we would pick a family that was in need and then share with the department like counseling or the library.’’

Last year, Adopt-A-Student Family was able to help five families.

Credit: Deena Griffin

‘’It’s great to support our families and we always work in conjunction with the Sharing Shop to find those students in need on campus. So as we continue to see the need grow, we do see our program grow with the Sharing Shop as well,’’ says Bonnie Williams, Administrative Services Manager and Sharing Shop administrator.

‘’It always feels really great to give back and especially to give back to Fanshawe College students and Fanshawe College families.”

This year, Griffin says she has reached out to several departments at Fanshawe, looking to raise awareness for the campaign.

‘’This year we have about 10 families because besides just online donations, we’ve also reached out to different departments on campus to get some help from different departments so we could help more families.’’

‘’Food insecurity is huge not just with students on campus but, you know, groceries are really expensive. So especially this time of the year, we don’t want anyone to choose between food or warm clothing.’’

Those who want to help can go to fsu.ca/adopt and donate any amount of money. Students can also find a donation box in the Oasis at the cash register, and booster juice. The campaign runs until December 1^st.

Credit: Deena Griffin