THUNDER BAY, ON, December 5, 2016 – Through donations, product sales and department competitions, the students and employees at Confederation College have raised $55,315 in support of its students, the United Way and “Stock the Bank”, an internal campaign in support of the Emergency Student Food Bank at the College.
“I am consistently amazed, but never surprised at how much is raised through this campaign each year,” said Jim Madder, President of Confederation College.
“Our College community understands the need for these supports for our students and for residents of Thunder Bay, and therefore employees and students work very hard to do their part. I am always proud to see us all come together to help our students, who are so important to us, and to help such a worthy charity as the United Way.”
The United Way provides financial support to 30 local agencies making it possible for them to offer 64 diverse human service programs to members of the community. Altogether, $55,315 was raised to contribute to this important cause.
The total amount raised includes $15,009 for United Way’s funded agencies, $20,355 directed to support student awards at Confederation College, and $19,960 directed to “Stock the Bank” in support of the College’s Emergency Student Food Bank. Employees and students also collected 5,800 food bank items.
These numbers grow the 11-year contributions for the Emergency Student Food Bank to $126,339 and over 55,000 items total. Last year alone, over 200 students accessed the food bank.
“I am touched by the contributions of our College community,” said Jodi Connor, President of the Student Union.
“Many students face financial challenges including rising tuition, rent and food prices, alongside a lack of income and extremely tight budgets. These are the primary reasons we see students accessing our food bank and we are grateful for the donations we’ve received. Our food bank gives our students the chance to get the support they need to take care of themselves and their families, while focusing on their studies. To me, one of the greatest feelings in the world is knowing that we as individuals can make a difference in a student’s life, and that is what people have done with this campaign.”
Jered Zieroth, Executive Director of the United Way of Thunder Bay also provided his thanks to the College for its efforts.
“We are so grateful that we have the opportunity to work with Confederation College to help individuals in our community. It takes all of us working together to be able to make a real change. Confederation College has always been a great supporter of the United Way and it is with that generosity that we can provide help to 1/3 of the individuals living in Thunder Bay.”
Money for the three-tiered campaign was raised through events such as the Business students’ upcycled product sales and Business Marketing students’ Winter Carnival. Employee donations of an hour’s pay and a friendly fundraising/food collection competition between departments also played an important role in the final numbers. In addition, part of the campaign saw employees direct funds to support student awards and program costs and equipment.
This year’s winning departments, which are each allotted $150 to give to their charity of choice, include:
- Large Team Category: Registration, Admissions, Financial Aid, The Hub, Communications and Continuing Education, which donated their prize to the Thunder Bay & District Human Society,
- Small Team Category: Paterson Library Commons, International and the Teaching and Learning Centre which donated their prize to the Shelter House of Thunder Bay, and
- Academic Category: School of Aviation and School of Engineering Technology, which donated their prize to the Shelter House of Thunder Bay.
