Both the SGPS and PSAC 901 announced the closure of their food insecurity relief programs this week.
First opened on Nov. 16, the SGPS’s Food Insecurity Relief Program closed 24 hours after receiving 458 applications. In a notice published on Nov. 23, the SGPS announced it only has sufficient funding to offer grocery cards to 50 applicants, who were randomly selected.
“Unfortunately, we’re constrained to working within our budget,” the notice said. “Within the first 5 minutes of opening the application portal we had already sured the 50 that we could fund.”
In its capacity as the labour union representing graduate student workers at Queen’s University, PSAC 901 opened its emergency food fund three times in 2023. Created as a response to rampant food insecurity among graduate student workers, the fund relied on donations from the community.
According to a notice on their website, PSAC 901 received over 1,500 applications for and distributed over 800 grocery gift cards to graduate student workers in need since the fund opened in January. A total of $80,000 has been spent to date, and the program will close on Nov. 24 due to the complete depletion of available funds.
In the future, both organizations are looking to address food insecurity among graduate students with the University. The SGPS is soliciting testimonials from students to take to the University’s istration, while PSAC 901 said it will continue advocating for improved wages from the employer.
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