Over the past few weeks, some students in the Child and Youth Worker program at Fanshawe have been hard at work, collecting items for students in need as part of their second-ever initiative to donate as much as possible to the Sharing Shop.

The three-week collection ran throughout November. Students split into two teams of 20 people who collected food items, school supplies, health and beauty items and more. According to Lila-Kay Collins, the student who organized both this year's collection and the original collection two years ago, over 300 items were donated altogether.

"I am very proud of our group for taking on this initiative and that they were willing to donate their time, money and supplies to help others," she said. "Just as when we did this initiative two years ago, the amount brought in by the end has been a pleasant surprise, with so many items to help others in need."

The CYW initiative also had a friendly competition aspect to it: the leader of the team that donated the most items got to smash a pie into the face of the leader of the opposing team. Courtney Peters, who led her team to victory two years ago, once again got to pie opposing team leader Kelly Larsen in the face this year. Peters, who led her team along with Shallis Ryder, collected 172 items for the Shop. Larsen's team collected 159 items.

The Sharing Shop is an oncampus student-run food bank and clothing exchange located in B1050. The initiative focused on donations to the Sharing Shop because "there's a need for the students; it's easy access," explained Collins.

"Certainly there are many worthy causes in the city. I believe the focus on the Fanshawe College student community allows students to become more aware of the level of need within their peer group," added Julie Cross, a Professor in the CYW program who was involved with the collection.

"People might assume that being able to afford college means being able to afford food, yet the demands of a college education often make it difficult to find enough working hours in a week," she continued. "The Sharing Shop offers a necessary and generous support to students who are already investing so much in their own futures."

"It's a great atmosphere," added Collins. "You don't have to give your name or anything. You can just go in, say you need something and walk out, no questions asked."

The Sharing Shop is always looking for donations of items, money or time. To donate items, look for donation boxes in the Library (L1003), General Studies Division (E2035), Human Services Division (D3024), Student Success Centre (F2010) and outside the Sharing Shop.

For more information about the Sharing Shop, visit fsu.ca/sharing_shop.asp.