SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - "The food comes in and the food is gone - there is a need," said Noelene Byrne, a first-year social work student and member of the Aurora College Yellowknife campus student food bank committee.

The committee held its first meeting on Monday.

The student food bank, which began at the college in January, is generated by donations from Food Rescue as well as staff and financial support from the student association.

Six partially-stocked shelves holding rice, cereal and a multitude of cans, and a refrigerator containing other items make up the food bank, which is a student-led program with some faculty support.

The food bank, located in the student lounge on the campus's third floor, is open during school hours and is in place solely for students.

Sarah Kelly, a first-year social work student, said many students who attend the Yellowknife campus are away from family support systems, and living on their own which causes financial strain.

She said although tuition is generally the same across the board, students' extra living costs while they are finishing their programs are what adds to the everyday stresses.

"All the students at Aurora College come from completely different backgrounds. Some are living in residence, some have children, some have their own house and some are paying rent in Yellowknife and we all know how expensive that is," said Kelly.

Heather Fikowski, an instructor of social work at the college, facilitated the committee's first meeting on Monday.

The committee is composed of about 10 nursing and social work students.

"They're going to take this on and learn how to run a program and also support students who are suffering with poverty issues and food insecurity," said Fikowski.

"This will support them and their academics by hopefully taking a bit of the weight off of that stress."

She said the food deprivation issue at the college has become more apparent over the past few years through talks with individual students. In December, the campus initiated "Christmas on campus," an anonymous program that supported students with food hampers and donated gifts for students' children.

"It was a really well-received program from the students themselves. From there, we realized that there was a tremendous need."

Fikowski said the food bank distributed 27 food hampers and Christmas gifts to 46 children. According to the college's website there are 200 full-time students attending Aurora College's Yellowknife campus.

She said based on the response to the Christmas program, it has become apparent students are struggling to afford to feed themselves.

"In terms of academic success, it's really difficult to focus your energy there when you're struggling to make your basic needs met. That's why we've really taken this on."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.