WATERLOO (CUP) – Students at Wilfred Laurier University (WLU) are making it their business to feed as many hungry people as they can this holiday season.
Student Rahul Raj is the creator of Meal Exchange, a food donation company that began at WLU.
Living in residence at WLU, Raj noticed that he had lots of leftover money on his meal plan. He approached the residence life council and was granted approval to donate unused portions of his meal plan to provide food for the needy – and Meal Exchange was born. The program spread quickly. Since then, Meal Exchange has raised over $1 million to help feed the hungry.
“Students have a ton of energy and a ton of time to invest in reshaping the world,” said Raj. “There’s so much potential . . . it’s mind-boggling.”
He thinks that WLU especially is a “real hub of social innovation.”
Wendi Campbell is the associate director of the Food Bank of Waterloo and sees firsthand the need for energetic, socially aware people to help out.
“We’re seeing a greater percentage of people accessing food services who are working,” said Campbell. She pointed out that rising living expenses are taking a toll on families who earn lower incomes – a problem that can be exacerbated in the winter.
She also said that a number of students are using the food bank due to growing tuition rates, and lower Ontario Student Assistance Program funding.
“What people need to remember is that people are hungry 12 months out of the year,” she said. “We really love it when we can introduce people during the holidays, and then they continue with it the rest of the year.”
Damien Bradley is one person who has donated to the food bank.
In early November, Bradley won $10,000 worth in groceries from Central Fresh Market as part of a radio contest. He donated $2,000 of his prize to provide others with food.
“If there’s no Christmas dinner, then it’s not really Christmas,” said Bradley.
