Fueling Dawson with Dawson Dinin’ three days a week

Over a decade ago, the Dawson Student Union began to address food insecurity at the College introducing Dawson Dinin’, a free vegan lunch service, offered once per week to the whole community.  In Winter 2024, the Office of Sustainability, the Dawson College Peace Centre, and the Dawson Student Union joined together to expand the service an additional two days a week. Dawson Dinin’ lunch service operated Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and the Early Bird Breakfast program on Thursdays, all semester long including during the exam period.

From February 12 to May 16, Dawson provided a total of 3,468 meals. Food insecurity is a particularly pervasive challenge for young adults. A 2016 Canada Food Study found that 16.2% of 16-18 year olds and 20% of 19-21 year olds faced severe food insecurity. A 2021 University of Toronto study on general household food insecurity in Canada reported that 13.8% of Quebec’s population suffers from food insecurity, with this number rapidly increasing. Both studies discussed the perils of food insecurity in terms of mental and physical health as it is a significant factor in negative outcomes of the health variables.

Dawson Dinin’ is coordinated by head chef (Tuesdays and Wednesdays), Jamal Spence with the help of student volunteers. Thursday’s breakfast is coordinated by the Dawson College Peace Centre team with the help of student and employee volunteers. From Feb. 12 to May 16, students and employees volunteered for 253 shifts in order to make this expanded initiative possible.

Jamal Spence shared his thoughts with us in terms of why he works for Dawson Dinin’: “I feel grateful for the opportunity to provide nutritious meals for the students. For me, health is the number one importance. If you’re not eating right, then you can’t get your mind right. Giving the proper fuel for students to go about their day is a great feeling.” A student volunteer added, “It’s a good feeling when the students say thank you because you know you just helped that student potentially pass an important test that day.”

Students who use these services also expressed their appreciation. One student said, “Every Tuesday and Wednesday I’m always in a better mood at school because it makes me save money that I’ll probably end up using for rent.” Another mentioned, “I don’t always have the time at night when I get home to buy or make myself food, so sometimes I’ll actually keep the meals I get here so I can eat before going to bed.” These comments highlight the financial and time pressures students face, and how initiatives like Dawson Dinin’ and Early Bird Breakfast can alleviate some of these stresses.

The expansion of free healthy food services to our community not only helps feed bellies but helps us to live the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals at the local level. UNDG #2 advocates for zero hunger worldwide, thus school initiatives and community services like Dawson’s play a crucial role in working towards this goal at the community level. Dawson’s efforts are helping hundreds of students every week to ensure their health and safety through food security. Food security ensures well-being for all, one of Dawson’s core values, it helps to support student success, and provides a community role model of service reconnecting people, community and our very human need to uplift and love one another.

-Written by Nathan Bellesmare Smallhorn, student in Community, Recreation and Leadership Training (CRLT) and intern in the Office of Sustainability