The University of King’s College library held a book sale in partnership with the King’s Food Security Initiative earlier this month. The event raised $491 for the cause.

On the first Wednesday of the new school year, students browsed the King’s library, picking up poetry collections, classic novels, and books ranging from the Renaissance to military theory. The books were donated by professors and the community. One student walked away with a collection of Shakespearean plays for only three dollars.

This is the second year in a row the book sale has been organized in support of the food security initiative. Michael Jozsa, the head of access at the King’s library, organized last year’s book sale to provide affordable books for students.

“It’s a good way to build your collection of things you might read during the year if you had the time,” he said. “Even if you can’t justify buying it because you just bought a bunch of course books.”

According to Jozsa, the library has always had a great relationship with the food security initiative. Several of the initiative members have worked part-time in the library. This connection gave him insight into how the funds would be used, and he felt confident it would help support students in need.

The King’s Food Security Initiative has been feeding students on King’s campus since 2021. The student-run society aims to curb food insecurity by providing free, nutritious soup every week, along with a food box that supplies grab-and-go snacks and non-perishables.

Due to increased demand, the initiative has doubled its soup service since last year. Soup is served out of The Galley every Wednesday from noon until supplies run out.

“If we want to keep supplying students with food, it’s important to have as many extra funds as we can,” said Lili Gardner-Elmer, the co-lead of communications for the King’s Food Security Initiative.

The rising cost of rent is one of the factors contributing to students’ financial struggles. “I know so many people who are struggling to pay their rent monthly and are having to cut back on the cost of their groceries in order to afford rent,” said Gardner-Elmer.

Across Canada, rent prices are increasing, and more people are relying on food banks. The average monthly rent in Halifax has increased by over 12 per cent, from $1,347 in 2022 to $1,532 in 2023, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. A 2023 report from Food Banks Canada also shows a 32 per cent increase in food bank usage across the country.

Now, the initiative plans to develop its food box into a full-sized pantry with the help of Chartwell’s, the food service company operating in Prince Hall. However, to make this a reality, the initiative will need more student volunteers, according to Gardner-Elmer.

“If we could get more funding, we’d like to provide an honorarium to student volunteers,” she said. “But for now, we need more manpower.”

Students like Ainsley Priddell, a fifth-year King’s student double majoring in political sciences and history, appreciate the support from the initiative. Priddell sets a calendar reminder every Wednesday at noon to grab a bowl of free soup from The Galley before returning to classes.

“I think having access to free food on campus is a really big part of student life going well,” she said.

Jozsa echoed this sentiment. “Students come [to the library] to study; it’s easier to study when you’re full.”

With continued support from the King’s community, the food security initiative hopes to expand its services and ensure that no student goes hungry.

This story was originally published in The Watch’s print magazine on September 25, 2024.