Student Wellness

UFV Food Pantry

Need help with groceries? We're here for you.

It can be tough to focus on your studies when you're worried about food. If groceries are getting harder to afford, you can request a free hamper of shelf-stable groceries from the UFV Food Pantry. We'll handle your request privately and with care.

Request a food hamper

Could a food hamper help?

You don't need to wait until things feel urgent. Students request food support for many different reasons. A hamper may help if you are:

  • worried that food might run out before you can buy more
  • skipping meals or eating less to stretch your budget
  • having a hard time getting to the grocery store
  • balancing groceries with other costs, such as rent or tuition
  • going through a difficult time and needing some extra help

If any of this sounds familiar, you're welcome to request a hamper.

Who can request a hamper?

The UFV Food Pantry is for students who are having difficulty affording or accessing enough food.

You can request a food hamper if you are enrolled in at least one UFV course this semester.

You can request up to four hampers per semester.

What's in a hamper?

Food hampers contain shelf-stable groceries and are meant to help stretch your food supply.  

When you complete a request form, you can choose a meat or vegan hamper. You can also tell us about any food allergies or cultural, religious, or other dietary needs. We'll consider these needs when selecting items, based on what is available. 

A hamper may include: 

  • canned meat or plant-based proteins
  • rice, pasta, and oats
  • pasta sauce
  • canned fruit and vegetables
  • peanut butter
  • shelf-stable milk alternatives, when available

You can also request period products and safer-sex supplies. These items are included when requested and available. 

What isn't included?

The UFV Food Pantry does not provide fresh, refrigerated, or frozen foods, including fresh produce, fresh or frozen meat, dairy products, bread or eggs. 

Some community programs may include these foods. Explore community food resources.

How do you request a hamper?

1

Fill out the online request form.

Choose your preferred pickup campus and hamper type. Tell us about any food allergies, dietary needs, and pickup accommodations.

2

Watch for an email.

Please allow up to three business days for Abbotsford pickup or five business days for Chilliwack pickup. We'll email you when your hamper is ready and provide the pickup location and instructions. 

3

Pick up your hamper.

Please collect your hamper within three business days of receiving the email. If you cannot pick it up in time, reply to the email and we'll make another plan.

Request a food hamper

Where can you find other community food support?

Community programs may offer food hampers, fresh food, bread, dairy products, or low-cost groceries. 

Programs have their own hours, eligibility requirements, registration processes, and service areas. Services can change, so contact the program before you visit. 

Community Food Banks

Rethinking How We Address Food Insecurity

After careful consideration, we’ve decided to shift away from food drives to better support students in need. Here’s why:

  • Maximizing Impact: Coordinating food drives takes significant staff time and resources. By streamlining our efforts, we can focus on providing direct support to students.
  • Better Buying Power: Through industry partnerships and bulk purchasing, we can access higher-quality food at a better value, maximizing our resources and impact.
  • Reducing Waste: Food drives can sometimes result in donations of items that don’t meet student needs or are expired. By purchasing food in bulk, we ensure that only the most relevant and needed items are provided, reducing waste and increasing efficiency.

Want to make a difference? The best way to support the UFV-SUS Food Bank is through a financial donation:

Donate to the Food Bank

Already completed a food drive? Consider donating to a local community food bank—see the list below for options.

Free Breakfast Snack Station

Abbotsford campus

Stop by the Student Wellness and Experience Lounge (S1111) Monday to Friday, 9:00am-11:00am for free grab and go breakfast

Chilliwack campus

Stop by the CEP Student Wellness and Experience Lounge (A1302) Monday to Thursday, 9am-1:00pm for free grab and go breakfast


Contact Us