Food Pantry

The Food Pantry

The Algoma University Students’ Union Food Pantry is a collectively-run student service that recognizes the pressing, often hidden causes and consequences of student hunger. We further strive to develop awareness and support within the university community and in the City of Sault Ste Marie. With the steady increase in the cost of living and the challenges around finding work, many students in post secondary institutions are increasingly facing higher food insecurity issues. In 2006 Food for Thought and The Summit Student Church partnered together to start their vision of establishing a Food Pantry for students at Algoma University. The Pantry officially opened its doors in May 2007. Since then the Food Pantry, now student operated, has increased significantly to meet the demands of students for emergency food services and address food insecurity issues on campus and off. In addition to meeting immediate needs, the Food Pantry works to address systemic issues around food access by taking an intersectional and holistic approach to operations, consultation, and engagement. The Algoma University Students’ Union Food Pantry is a collectively-run student service that recognizes the pressing, often hidden causes and consequences of student hunger. We further strive to develop awareness and support within the university community and in the City of Sault Ste Marie.

Currently, the Food Pantry serves over 350+ students in a week, and over 800 individuals benefit from overal. These individuals include other household members such as family, roommates, partners, or friends that items are shared with.

Shelves filled with non perishable foods.

Operation days: Monday, Wednesday & Saturday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Office hours:  Monday to Friday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

AUSU Food Pantry

Our Food Pantry team will be available to assist you!

Operation days: Monday, Wednesday & Saturday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Office hours:  Monday to Friday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Sault Ste. Marie Campus, Shingwaulk Hall 201

ausufood.pantry@ausu82.ca 

How to Participate

  • How To Participate

    • Fill Out the Intake Form 

      • All the students must fill out this form before their First visit.

      • This allows us to better serve you by understanding your dietary needs, allergies, and any other support you may require.

      • If you have any problems filling out the form, or if you have any questions, please contact us or visit us at the Food Pantry 

    • Book Your Appointment

      • You can book your appointment using our website

      • Appointments open 6 days in advance and you can only book once a week. (From Monday to Sunday)

      • Algomau email should be the default email in your browser. (if Safari and other browsers do not work, copy the link and use Google Chrome)

      • On the day of the appointment please bring your Student ID, Email Confirmation, and a Grocery Bag

      • You can also check for available items on our website

Donate

The AUSU Food Pantry is currently looking for in-kind and financial donations to support our day to day operations.” Most needed items include produce, eggs, milk, bread, chickpeas, and hygiene products.

  • Non-refrigerated/ Non-frozen donations can be dropped off any time in the donation drop box outside of the Food Pantry.
  • Monetary donations can be made via check, e-transfer, or cash donations. Cheques may be made out to the Algoma University Students’ Union, subject line “Food Pantry Donation”; e-transfers may be sent to financecoordinator@ausu82.ca with the subject line “Food Pantry donation”. Cheque and cash donations can be dropped off during appointment hours or by emailing ausufood.pantry@ausu82.ca.
Volunteer
  • Volunteer Opportunity

    • There are many opportunities to make a difference with the Food Pantry!

    • Students have the opportunity to serve their community and peer students by volunteering in the food pantry. They can also learn transferrable skills like Food handling, Time management, Communication, Leadership, and  Inventory management. Volunteers can also participate in different ongoing projects to learn event management, Social media skills, and creative design making. They also get Co-Curriculum Records(CCR) points for the valuable time and effort they give. Volunteer opportunities are available by filling out this form

Food is a Right, Not a Privilege

Follow us @AUSUFoodPantry

Food pantry uses 500 Plastic bags/day. This translates to 72,000 items of non-recyclable items/year. Even though some packaging might say it is recyclable, it depends on the local recycling facility. For instance, the plastic yogurt containers previously given by the Food Pantry are not yet recyclable in Sault Ste. Marie. That's why we are starting a campaign called Rock the Jar! Starting June 1st, bring along a clean empty plastic container or a jar, and you will get an extra scoop of either rice, pasta, oats, or lentils depending on the week. By reusing yours, as well as our waste, we can make a difference. By allowing us to reduce our purchase of plastic, YOU CAN HELP us redirect our funds to serve food to a larger community List of the things to keep in mind when participating in the change: Please, only bring clean containers (with lids) in working condition and inform the volunteer that you have a container before getting your groceries. Bring an egg carton for two (2) extra eggs every week. Bring a container to get, rice & pasta- increased to 3 cups (703 ml), all lentils and oatmeal to 2 cups (472 ml), and eggs to 10 per week. You can also donate egg cartons, empty containers, and jars in the donation box outside of the Food Pantry for our students to take. If you have any doubts please send us a message. Thank you, Be a Part of the Change - Join Rock the Jar Campaign
Food pantry uses 500 Plastic bags/day. This translates to 72,000 items of non-recyclable items/year. Even though some packaging might say it is recyclable, it depends on the local recycling facility. For instance, the plastic yogurt containers previously given by the Food Pantry are not yet recyclable in Sault Ste. Marie. That's why we are starting a campaign called Rock the Jar! Starting June 1st, bring along a clean empty plastic container or a jar, and you will get an extra scoop of either rice, pasta, oats, or lentils depending on the week. By reusing yours, as well as our waste, we can make a difference. By allowing us to reduce our purchase of plastic, YOU CAN HELP us redirect our funds to serve food to a larger community List of the things to keep in mind when participating in the change: Please, only bring clean containers (with lids) in working condition and inform the volunteer that you have a container before getting your groceries. Bring an egg carton for two (2) extra eggs every week. Bring a container to get, rice & pasta- increased to 3 cups (703 ml), all lentils and oatmeal to 2 cups (472 ml), and eggs to 10 per week. You can also donate egg cartons, empty containers, and jars in the donation box outside of the Food Pantry for our students to take. If you have any doubts please send us a message. Thank you, Be a Part of the Change - Join Rock the Jar Campaign
Food pantry uses 500 Plastic bags/day. This translates to 72,000 items of non-recyclable items/year. Even though some packaging might say it is recyclable, it depends on the local recycling facility. For instance, the plastic yogurt containers previously given by the Food Pantry are not yet recyclable in Sault Ste. Marie. That's why we are starting a campaign called Rock the Jar! Starting June 1st, bring along a clean empty plastic container or a jar, and you will get an extra scoop of either rice, pasta, oats, or lentils depending on the week. By reusing yours, as well as our waste, we can make a difference. By allowing us to reduce our purchase of plastic, YOU CAN HELP us redirect our funds to serve food to a larger community List of the things to keep in mind when participating in the change: Please, only bring clean containers (with lids) in working condition and inform the volunteer that you have a container before getting your groceries. Bring an egg carton for two (2) extra eggs every week. Bring a container to get, rice & pasta- increased to 3 cups (703 ml), all lentils and oatmeal to 2 cups (472 ml), and eggs to 10 per week. You can also donate egg cartons, empty containers, and jars in the donation box outside of the Food Pantry for our students to take. If you have any doubts please send us a message. Thank you, Be a Part of the Change - Join Rock the Jar Campaign

Food pantry uses 500 Plastic bags/day. This translates to 72,000 items of non-recyclable items/year.  Even though some packaging might say it is recyclable, it depends on the local recycling facility. For instance, the plastic yogurt containers previously given by the Food Pantry are not yet recyclable in Sault Ste. Marie.


That’s why we are starting a campaign called Rock the Jar!
 
Starting June 1st, bring along a clean empty plastic container or a jar, and you will get an extra scoop of either rice, pasta, oats, or lentils depending on the week. 

By reusing yours, as well as our waste, we can make a difference. By allowing us to reduce our purchase of plastic, YOU CAN HELP us redirect our funds to serve food to a larger community

List of the things to keep in mind when participating in the change:

Please, only bring clean containers (with lids) in working condition and inform the volunteer that you have a container before getting your groceries.
 
Bring an egg carton for two (2) extra eggs every week.
Bring a container to get, rice & pasta- increased to 3 cups (703 ml), all lentils and oatmeal to 2 cups (472 ml), and eggs to 10 per week.
You can also donate egg cartons, empty containers, and jars in the donation box outside of the Food Pantry for our students to take.
If you have any doubts please send us a message.
Thank you,

Be a Part of the Change – Join Rock the Jar Campaign