Our Free Weekly Distro Program
Our Distro program combats food insecurity for Laurier students. We provide free groceries and other essentials for students who need them.
Please note that any cancellations (e.g. Snow Days) are announced on our Instagram @laurierstudentsPIRG
We provide items such as:
- Fresh groceries such as fruit, veggies, dairy and bread
- Pantry items
- Hygiene items
- Mental health resources
- Social justice swag
Our Values
Variety - We are committed to providing options that meet many dietary needs. We provide a variety of fresh vs. non-perishable, convenient vs. cooking ingredients, and food that varies in nutrition.
Choice - We believe everyone deserves to be able to choose exactly what they would like to eat. Whether people want to check nutrition labels, ingredients, or just want delicious flavours they enjoy, students should be able to choose what to eat, regardless of income. We aim to be set up like a free grocery store. There is dignity in choice.
Anonymity - For a variety of valid reasons, some people do not feel comfortable accessing support or sharing their identity. We understand and value the importance of your privacy. We do not ask for any proof of income.
Mutual Aid - Unlike a charity model, Mutual Aid understands the capitalist systems’ role in creating unfair distribution of resources and wealth and makes the community as a whole responsible for caring for each other.
Equity - We understand that people experiencing intersecting forms of oppression are disproportionately impacted by poverty and food insecurity. This is true everywhere, including here at Laurier, as the Food4Hawks report shows. All aspects of our program are intended to support marginalized communities.
Identifying Food Insecurity
If you regularly skip meals, or eat smaller quantities at meals, or choose less healthy/other food than you'd like, or have to choose between food and textbooks, rent, bills, or other financial costs... then you may be experiencing food insecurity. You are not alone!
Please reflect on the above levels of food insecurity and determine if you think accessing Distro is right for you. If you are experiencing marginal, moderate or severe food insecurity, our program is for you to come and take what you need.
Things You Need to Know Before Coming
Please reflect and assess that you are experiencing some level of food insecurity (see above). Take as much as you need. We do not limit how much students take because we don’t know how much you need. However, please keep in mind that the supplies we have must be shared amongst many.
Please bring your Laurier One Card so we can verify you are a current Laurier student
Please bring your own bags
If you cannot make it during the Distro times for any reason, please reach out to discuss pickup and delivery possibilities
How to Donate Items
Everyone is welcome to drop off items either during our Distro hours or a bin on campus. In Waterloo, there is a marked donation bin at the Bricker Entrance of Martin Luther University College which is open 8:30am to 4:30pm.
If your organization or workplace would like to collect items at your location, please contact tweber@luther.wlu.ca to discuss arranging pick-up.
Items we accept:
Non-perishable food (especially juice, soup, pasta, sauces, canned veggies, peanut butter, crackers, snacks, non-dairy milks)
Hygiene products (e.g. Shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, menstrual products)
Household cleaning products (especially dish soap, scrubbies, toilet paper)
These items must be unopened (Note: An open box of individually packaged granola bars is acceptable)
How to Donate Funds
If you would like to donate money to support our program, please donate through Luther’s online giving by pressing the button below and selecting “Distro”. 100% of funds go directly towards purchasing supplies. Luther is able to issue charitable tax receipts for financial contributions and substantial in-kind donations. If you are an organization or business considering donating, we can provide recognition. If you would like to specify which campus you would like your donation to go to, please add that in as a comment.
Distro - Waterloo
Every Thursday, 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Location: Martin Luther University College (Room MLU103)
Accessing Distro in Waterloo
For Fall 2024, Distro in Waterloo and The Mini Market both operated out of King Street Residence. Beginning Thursday, January 9th, 2025, Distro is back at Luther each Thursday and The Mini Market is going to continue to operate in King Street Residence. We encourage students to access both programs, as well as the Students’ Union Food Bank, in a way that best meets their needs.
The Distro is located in the Multi-Faith Room (MLU103) at Luther, which is on the corner of Seagram Dr. and Albert St.
Luther is a space for people of all faiths or no faith
This program is for Laurier students only and will be asked to show their OneCard at the door.
All items provided are free
If students need accommodations due to disability, being unavailable during our open hours, or any other accessibility reason, please contact Karly at karly@lspirg.org
Free Weekly Distro - Brantford
Wednesdays 2 - 4pm and Thursdays 12 - 2 pm
Register for either Wednesday or Thursday pick-up here: https://forms.gle/4vki2RGCvTu5En726
Location: LSPIRG Office in ODB101
Accessing the Location
Distro is run out of our LSPIRG Brantford office at OBD101, the basement of the Odeon Building
When you walk in the building, head straight down the stairs and find the room next to the vending machines. There is also an elevator.
The door is open Wednesdays 2-4pm and Thursdays 12-2pm, so come on in!
Program Schedule for Winter 2025
Follow @LaurierStudentsPIRG to be notified of any unexpected cancellations or changes to the schedule.
Jan: 15 & 16, 22 & 23, 29 & 30th
Feb: 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20, (26 & 27 closed)
Mar: 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 26 & 27
Apr: 2 & 3, 9 & 10
Brantford Distro then closes for the summer term. If you are still in need during times when DISTRO is closed, you can check out the Community Meal Calendar here for prepared meals and food pantries in town.
Other Food and Essential Items Resources
On-campus: You can find resources within the Laurier community compiled here.
Waterloo Community: Off campus, students and community members can also access free food at the Food Bank of Waterloo Region, the Community Fridge of KW downtown Kitchener, and the 519 Nourish Community Fridge in Waterloo.
Brantford Community: Visit the Community Meal Calendar.
Volunteer With Us
Our volunteers are essential to keeping Distro going. Our volunteers welcome students, keep shelves stocked, and more. If you have access to a vehicle, becoming a volunteer driver is also very appreciated - you could pick up/drop off donations or make home deliveries. Driving and some harvesting shifts are throughout the week, while all other volunteering at Distro takes places on Thursdays.
We understand that our volunteers have a lot of other things on the go, and so we do not expect that you attend every Distro. Volunteers are able to sign up for the dates and times that work best for them.
Gratitude
In the Fall term of 2020, LSPIRG and Luther recognized the serious level of food insecurity that was compounded due to COVID-19 unemployment and existing services being closed due to lockdown. We started the Distro program as two people outside with one table with some non-perishable food items, and have since grown in every way. While Distro started due to the pandemic, our community will continue to need this support until our society changes. We are committed to this permanent program and this would not be possible without our incredible community.
LSPIRG and Luther would like to thank our incredible partners and supporters:
Matthew MacGregor Giving Fund
Community Kitchen Co-Operative of Kitchener-Waterloo
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada- Eastern Synod Mission Committee
COBS Bread
Mount Zion Lutheran Church for cooking us delicious hot meals
Shoppers Drug Mart - Bridgeport
AgroHaitai seed farm
MAZON Canada
The WLU Sustainability Office
Laurier International
Grand Valley Institute Lifers’ Group
Social Venture Partners Waterloo Region
KW Microgreens
Miss Dixies Foundation
Laurier Wellness Education
Nature Plus Eggs
The SEED
WLU Muslim Chaplaincy
Aroma Acres Farm
Beautiful Souls KW
The For GOOD Foundation
Fertile Ground Farm
Our amazing team of dedicated volunteers
Our on- and off-campus community who donate, promote and connect