About
The Pantry was created by OCSU to assist students facing short-term food security. It provides an on-campus food bank with a limited selection of non-perishable goods, frozen bread and hygiene products. Students are able to book an appointment and access non-perishable goods during their appointment. For students needing long term support, please see the Community Resources section at the end of this page.
The Pantry is available by appointment only, please click here to book. All students must schedule a First Visit appointment if a student has not visited us before to ensure that we have enough time to inform them of the updated service, external resources and more.
Donations
Food Donations
We are always grateful for donations! Non-perishable food items, as well as unopened toiletries and hygiene supplies, are always welcome. Please see our general guidelines below for items we can and cannot accept. If you are unsure if something is suitable to donate, please feel free to call us at 250-762-5445 ext 4250.
Food donations may be brought directly to the Pantry during OCSU business hours.
We can accept:
Canned foods such as:
Soup
Vegetables
Fish/meats
Fruit
Boxed dinners, such as:
Kraft Dinner
Sidekicks
Ben’s Original Rice
Cereal (must be factory sealed in packaging)
Tea (must be an unopened box, or individually packaged teabags)
Baby food/formula
Diapers
Toilet paper
Hand soap (liquid or bar)
Shampoo/conditioner/body wash (travel or full size) (must be unused/unopened)
We cannot accept:
Anything past its expiration date
Anything that has been used or opened, or is not in its original packaging
Homemade or home packaged food
Perishable food, or food that has a short shelf life
Food that requires refrigeration
Although the following items cannot be accepted as Pantry donations, we are happy to put them on the Free table outside of our office:
Clean, gently worn clothes
Toys
School supplies
If you wouldn’t take it, please don’t donate it!
Monetary Donations
Any monetary donations we receive are used to purchasing food and toiletries at cost thanks to our partnerships with Peter’s Your Independent Grocer and Save On Foods - Mission location.
Donate directly to OCSU (no tax receipt given)
Donations are accepted during business hours at our office, Room A148 in the Continuing Studies building. We can accept cash, credit, debit, and cheques. Cheques may be made out to "Okanagan College Students' Union." Please note that OCSU cannot give out tax receipts. Monetary donations are dedicated 100% to the Pantry.
Donate through OC Foundation (tax receipt given)
OC Foundation is a registered charity dedicated to supporting students in a variety of ways, and we are thankful that they have chosen to support the Pantry as well. Donations made through OC Foundation may be distributed to food security programs on other campuses (like the Food Bank in Penticton), so this is a great option for anyone who wants to support students across campuses. Donations may be made online and are tax receipt eligible. Make sure to select the OC Student Pantry Support Fund to designate your funds to our food security services.
Frequently Asked Questions
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All currently enrolled students of Okanagan College are welcome to use the Pantry.
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You will need to book an appointment and provide your name, student number and email at the time of setting up your account.
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Yes! The Pantry is a 100% free service for our members.
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The Pantry runs on an appointment-only system. We do not accept walk-ins.
The Pantry was walk-in only for the first few years of its existence. However, as the service got more popular, students were spending so much time waiting to get in to the Pantry that they would end up missing their bus, being late for class, or missing other commitments. With the appointment system, each user has a dedicated time slot that they can work into their schedule.
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It is very important to arrive on time for your appointment. We may not have space to accommodate if you arrive late or very early.
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If none of the available time slots work for your schedule, the most effective solution is to contact the Pantry Coordinator. Do NOT book an appointment for a time you know you cannot make.
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Yes! Fill out our volunteer intake form here.
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We try to keep a constant stock of non-perishable food items. Our staple items are:
Rice
Pasta and pasta sauce
Canned fruit/veggies
Canned soup
Canned tuna
Granola bars/snack bars
We also sometimes have:
Cereal
Oatmeal
Toilet paper
Juice
Please note that most of the foods we stock require preparation before consuming. We do not typically have ready-to-eat or snack options.
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No, each student must pick up for themselves.
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Please see our section below for resources in the Central Okanagan community.
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We purchase the vast majority of our food through surrounding grocers at cost. We also occasionally receive donations from generous staff, faculty, students, and community members. See the above section for more on donating.
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The Pantry is available by appointment only during the summer months.
Community Resources
There are many organizations in the Okanagan Valley that can help you if you need assistance beyond what OCSU can provide. We have listed some of them here.
Disclaimer: These listings are intended for information and reference only. Inclusion on this list does not indicate endorsement from OCSU. We have made our best attempts to ensure the listings are accurate, relevant to students, and are safe and inclusive for all.