Niagara College’s Student Administrative Council (NCSAC) is working to make sure no student goes hungry this year, and they’re looking to the Niagara College community for help.
Beginning this January, NCSAC is expanding its Rise and Shine Breakfast Program, will now be offered five days a week. Students can now pick up a free, hand-packed nutritious breakfast at The Armoury (NOTL) or The Core (Welland) Monday – Friday (excluding holidays) between 8 – 9 a.m.
Rise and Shine is operated through the Nourishing Minds fund, which addresses food insecurity by offering free breakfast daily, and grocery gift cards to students on a referral basis. The Nourishing Minds Gift Card Program empowers students to make their own food choices and removes the ‘food bank’ stigma. In the 2018/2019 academic year, NCSAC served 9,946 breakfasts through the Rise and Shine Breakfast Program, and 284 students accessed the grocery store gift cards with a combined total of $36,845.
The program relies on the kindness and generosity of donations from the Niagara College Community, and for the month of February, NCSAC has devised a unique fundraiser to support the program.
Members of the college community can visit the NCSAC offices at either campus to purchase a ballot and receive a month calendar. A draw is done each day for one of over two dozen unique prizes, with a different prize up for grabs each day. Ballots are $10 for NC students, or $20 for non-students (staff, faculty, and those outside the college may all enter).
Prizes include NC apparel, gift certificates for NC’s learning enterprises, 1-night accommodation at Niagara hotels, free coffee for a month at NCSAC’s Undergrounds or The Shack, a 5kg box of bacon, and even lunch with NCSAC president Tom Price.
“The Nourishing Minds Fund is vital to the retention and success of all Niagara College students, as the Rise and Shine Breakfast program, and the grocery store gift cards address and endeavor to reduce food insecurities both on and off campus,” said NCSAC president Tom Price. “Your contributions, and donations will positively impact vulnerable Niagara College students and stimulate student success.”
There are other ways you can help too. If you are interested in supporting the Nourishing Minds programs, you can donate at the NCSAC office. Faculty and staff can also arrange for a payroll deduction. To set up your one time, or repeat deduction, please visit portal.niagaracollege.ca, select ‘Donate to Support Student Success’ icon, and follow the steps.
For more information, please contact Chris Williams, NCSAC Student Services Manager, at [email protected]
