According to a recent survey of Western students in Fall 2024, 45.4% reported being food insecure.
The Western Hub of Living Essentials (WHOLE) serves as a resource to students who are unable to secure basic needs. WHOLE strives to offer food and hygiene items to students at no cost.
We care about the academic success and wellbeing of Western students, and we recognize that students will not be able to persist in their education if basic needs are not being met. We work to support students by stocking the food pantry with many options to be inclusive of all dietary needs, as well as hygiene products. The pantry provides instant meal options, vegan/vegetarian options, gluten free options, and other healthy perishable and non-perishable foods. Additionally, we have been partnering with local grocers and organizations for weekly donations and discount purchase options.
WHOLE, located in the Viking Union and managed by Basic Needs, operates as a drop-in pantry, where students can grab items from the pantry. Food is stocked five days a week with donations and purchases. The WHOLE is accessed frequently by students - roughly 600 per week - and continues to grow as the needs of our students have also increased. Thank you for considering a donation to WHOLE. Every dollar given to WHOLE goes to directly into the pantry. Your kindness and generosity are appreciated!
"The WHOLE...has genuinely saved me from hunger most nights many times" - Western student quoted from Instagram in February 2024
