ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The Canadian Federation of Students says a new campus food bank at Saint Mary's University in Halifax is part of a disturbing trend.
National chairperson Bilan (BEE'-lahn) Arte says food banks have sprung up on campuses across Canada in recent years as tuition fees and living costs have gone up.
She is calling on federal and provincial governments to make access to higher education a priority.
Financial aid officer Allen Wolfe of Saint Mary's University says he helped set up the campus service after referring so many students to local food banks.
One international student who was going without meals inspired him to kick-start a volunteer food drive.
Arte says the federation increasingly hears about students who are forced to choose between paying school fees or buying groceries.
