Culinary Services at USask has donated nearly $2,000 of fresh produce to Saskatoon Public Schools. (Photo: Submitted)

USask Unites: Culinary Services donates to Saskatoon Public Schools

Since the first cases of COVID-19 were announced in the province, members of the USask community have come together to support one another in these uncertain times.

By Kylie Robson

Extraordinary circumstances have brought out extraordinary responses from members of our USask community. From frontline health-care workers to researchers looking for a solution to this global health threat, there are so many stories about people are working to make our home communities safer and healthy. Here are a few of the inspiring stories of our students, staff, faculty and alumni.

While the Marquis Culinary Centre is currently closed to ensure the health and safety of staff and customers, staff are still making sure that members of the community are receiving nutritious meals.

Culinary Services at USask has donated nearly $2,000 of fresh produce to Saskatoon Public Schools, which will provide ingredients for the commercial kitchen, food labs and cafeteria at Mount Royal Collegiate. This donation will aid their program that prepares 1,000 meals daily that are distributed by the Saskatoon Tribal Council to members of the community in need.

“Any time we’re able to connect with partners and support our community it’s important that we do so,” said George Foufas, director of consumer services at USask. “It felt good to know that the food we donated was going to those who need it.”

This is the second time that USask’s Culinary Services has had the opportunity to help feed the community during the pandemic. In April, staff members were able to deliver nearly $3,000 worth of food to donate to the Saskatoon Friendship Inn.

USask students have similarly stepped up in order to make a positive change in the lives of others during these difficult times.

USask medical students have raised more than $40,000 to purchase and transport personal hygiene products, sewing supplies and at-home activities for families living in the La Loche community. And the USask kinesiology graduating class of 2020 recently donated a total of $1,100 for the Saskatoon Friendship Inn and Pleasant Hill School in Saskatoon.

Culinary Services at USask has donated nearly $2,000 of fresh produce to Saskatoon Public Schools. (Photo: Submitted)

Share your stories with us: We are collecting the stories of resilience and good spirit from our USask community. Please send story ideas and photos to news@usask.ca.

As a community it is critical that we support each other and remain respectful during what is a difficult time for all of us. Please follow all guidelines and take all precautions to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in our community.

How you can help our students during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://alumni.usask.ca/news/2020/covid-19-how-you-can-help-our-students.php

For the latest developments and information about the University of Saskatchewan's response to COVID-19, please go to www.usask.ca/updates.

The University of Saskatchewan is undertaking critical research and contributing to global efforts to combat COVID-19. The University of Saskatchewan's Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO-InterVac) is a world leader in developing vaccines and technologies to combat infectious diseases. Your support of the COVID-19 Research Fund supports the increased efforts of researchers at the University of Saskatchewan to develop vaccines and treatments for COVID-19. Donate now.