Give the gift of food security this holiday season

Dear friends of Georgian College,

This past October, I finally crossed the stage as a proud Georgian graduate from the Office Administration – Executive program. It was a journey that I first began in 1994, but one that had to be put on hold. Two years ago, my husband encouraged me to go back to school and after years of stressing the importance of an education to my children, I found myself back in a classroom.

Do you remember your first day of school? I can tell you that at the age of 43 I spent much of my first day back in a classroom asking myself questions like “What am I doing here?”

However, those feelings of nervousness and apprehension were quickly replaced with enthusiasm and curiosity. I was absolutely where I was supposed to be. The Georgian community welcomed me, and within a week I knew I could do this.

Then my family’s situation changed.

At the beginning of my second year of studies, my husband was laid off from his job. With two children and no income, we hit a tough time. There were many directions that life could have taken us, and my future as a student was uncertain.

Then I had an emotional conversation with a Student Life Advisor about Georgian’s Food Locker program. At first, I was quite embarrassed. I really felt like there were other students out there that needed it more than I did, but she helped me realize that it was okay to ask for help. I had a family to feed.

Without the support of the Food Locker, I don’t know how things would have turned out for me.

That first delivery from the Food Locker changed my life. It provided everything that I needed to get my family through the next two weeks, including canned goods and meal products, snacks for lunches and personal hygiene items. It bought my family time, and it allowed me to put my focus back on my studies.

I came to realize how fortunate I was, and I wanted to give back.

I joined the Georgian College Students’ Association as the Vice President, Administration, and was responsible for managing the Food Locker. Ensuring we had enough food on our shelves to meet the demand was challenging, and that demand has continued to grow ever since.

I know that I’m not the only student to worry about where my next meal might come from. Many of us have experienced food insecurity or know someone who has, and hunger shouldn’t be a normal part of the student experience.

Today, I am asking you to join me in making a special gift for the coming holiday season; to help fight student hunger by donating to our holiday food hamper drive, and there has never been a better time to help.

The Georgian College Alumni Association is partnering with the Georgian College Students’ Association to purchase food hampers for hungry students this holiday season, and Johnson Insurance has generously agreed to double our impact. This means that every $25 food hamper you purchase will be matched by the donation of a $25 food hamper by Johnson Insurance, up to 300 hampers!

Imagine what our Georgian friends and family could do if we all came together to support this. Please donate today. As a past recipient of the Food Locker and now proud Georgian graduate, I promise you that your gift will make a difference.

Thank you for joining with us to fight student hunger, and I wish you much success and happiness for the year ahead.

Lisa Lavigne
Proud Georgian alumnae