Waterloo Region transit, food banks seeing record breaking usage with high student enrolment numbers
More students in Waterloo Region are relying on food bank and transit services than normal, leading to more pressure on the organizations.
The Food Bank of Waterloo Region received record breaking numbers across all categories in the month of August.
“When we look at the ages of individuals 18 to 30, we are seeing high numbers in those who are accessing food assistance. Students are struggling, as [is] everyone else, with the present cost of living,” Kim Wilhelm, interim CEO of the food bank, said.
“Just over 1,000 students, who identified as students at our food assistance programs, accessed food last month. That’s about a 150 per cent increase over last August.”
The food bank is open to supporting anyone who needs it, but there are specific food programs in place at schools for students.
Wilhelm said food bank staff communicate regularly with post-secondary institutions in the region to ensure supports are in place.
“Conestoga College specifically has indicated that they do have the supports in place to support their students with food assistance if needed,” Wilhelm said.
Of the post secondary institutions in Waterloo Region, Conestoga College has recorded the biggest increase in international students over the past few years.
John Tibbits, the president of Conestoga College, said the school has been increasing communication with students so they’re seeking the proper supports, instead of going directly to the food bank.
“We have a number of food security programs,” Tibbits said, saying some are run by the school and some are run by students.
“On YouTube, I guess there was a [video] that showed how you can use a food bank, but that’s not where our students should be.”
Tibbits said the school is committed to contributing back to food banks after learning so many students were using the service.
“I’m not saying they shouldn’t have food help, but not from the food bank,” Tibbits said.
“Our students are being told to stop going there.”
BUSY BUSES
To kick off the month of September, Grand River Transit (GRT) reported record-breaking ridership with 150,000 boardings each day.
“That number has sustained through the last few weeks,” Doug Spooner, director of transit services at GRT, said.
Previously, the record high was 110,000 daily boardings.
Conestoga College student Darshin Shirwlkar said he’s noticed a major increase in crowdedness on buses since September.
“It gets difficult to take the bus because people try to get on the bus and the bus gets full. We miss a couple of buses and it’s not very frequent so we have to wait for some time, then we get delayed for our classes and jobs” he said.
Another Conestoga College student he had to wait for almost two and a half hours earlier this week.
“If the buses would increase their numbers, then it would really help students get to their classes or to work more timely,” he said.
Spooner said 95 per cent of routes haven’t been experiencing overcrowding. He would not confirm if Conestoga College areas are among the busiest routes.
He said steps are being taken for areas that are seeing more pressure.
“We’ve got a number of activities underway. We’ve got every available bus out and we’ve got our supervisor team on the ground in the busy locations helping to direct people,” Spooner said.
No additional routes have been added at this point.
“We’ve got new classes of bus drivers coming on in October and also in November,” Spooner said.
Tibbits said he believes the GRT needs to “step up” to address the need as so many students are relying on the service.
“They have to make sure there’s buses,” Tibbits said.
This is part two of two-part series. Click here to read part one.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Judge in Trump's hush money trial threatened to throw witness out of court for behavior on stand
Michael Cohen testified Monday that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from his ex-boss Donald Trump’s company, an admission defence lawyers hope to use to undermine Cohen’s credibility.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
McGill says pro-Palestinian protest outside senior administrator's home 'crosses the line'
McGill University has denounced a pro-Palestinian protest held Sunday outside the home of one of its senior administrators.
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
Microsoft's AI chatbot will 'recall' everything you do on a PC
Microsoft wants laptop users to get so comfortable with its artificial intelligence chatbot that it will remember everything you're doing on your computer and help figure out what you want to do next.
Judge cites error, will reopen sentencing hearing for man who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband
A federal judge will reopen the sentencing hearing for the man who broke into Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco home and bludgeoned her husband with a hammer after the judge failed to allow him to speak during his court appearance last week.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.