In a response to food insecurity, Lakeland College's Indigenous Support Services along with a group of Lakeland students are making healthy meals accessible to their peers.

Each month the College Collective Kitchen, comprised of student volunteers, get together to make healthy, low cost and delicious food in bulk at the Olive Tree Lloydminster. The meals are brought to Lakeland's Lloydminster and Vermilion campuses and are available to all Lakeland students.

Levi Smith, a heavy oil and gas student, and Linda Sandfly, an admin support 1 student, both had a hand-in preparing February's meals.

“A group of us, about 12 students, had this idea to get students more access to food. We brought the idea up to Shelly (Pewapsconias), and she took it from there. I'm feeling great about this project,” says Smith.

Sandfly adds, “There are people who don't have the resources to make or have access to lunch, so something like this can make a situation a better one.”

Pewapsconias, manager of Lakeland's Indigenous Support Services, says this project wouldn't be possible without the support of the Olive Tree Lloydminster.

“We are thankful for the support of the Olive Tree and the community. Its community donations and the use of the Olive Tree's facility that allow us to ​provide this service to Lakeland students. We provide a vegetable here and there, the meal containers and a location for pickup,” says Pewapsconias.

Since October, the College Collective Kitchen has prepared an estimated 810 meals and has supported 758 students.

Photos: Top-Levi Smith prepares meals for Lakeland's collective kitchen at the Olive Tree Lloydminster. Bottom-A group of students and Olive Tree volunteers.