KPU Tree of Cans initiative accepts food donations for Surrey Food Bank

Donations are collected across campuses each year to support the greater community

Library technician Jeremy Taylor, library supervisor Hoda Malek, and audiovisual library technician Rob Jacobsen stand by the Tree of Cans at the KPU Tech campus. (Submitted)

Library technician Jeremy Taylor, library supervisor Hoda Malek, and audiovisual library technician Rob Jacobsen stand by the Tree of Cans at the KPU Tech campus. (Submitted)

The Kwantlen Polytechnic University Tech campus library in Cloverdale is accepting food donations for Surrey Food Bank as part of its Tree of Cans initiative until Dec. 18. 

The initiative, which started in 2019 at the Surrey campus library and later moved to the KPU Richmond library in 2022, allows students studying at different campuses to participate.

“We wanted the initiative to travel, and the decoration, too, because everybody likes Christmas decor,” says Damaris Gugliotti, manager of library resources at KPU. 

“We like to have students, faculty, and KPU staff be able to look at something different in our libraries. We always like to make them relevant with something new to see. So I think that was our thinking process, ‘Let’s do something different and exciting so that it’s attractive to the libraries.’” 

Even though the boxes are around all four campuses, Cloverdale campus library supervisor Hoda Malek says all the food items are collected at KPU Tech, and they’ve got a good amount of all items needed so far. 

Gugliotti adds that all needed food items were chosen in accordance with the Surrey Food Bank, with the top items including canned vegetables, pasta, and sauce.

Other items from the list include canned protein, whole-grain rice, healthy canned soups, and baby formulas, among others.

The initiative allows students to show their care and support beyond the KPU community, Malek says. It also ties in with libraries’ values, strategic plans, and focus as a department, Gugliotti adds.

“I love the uniqueness of the library that connects students, faculty, and also non-KPU students in the community who can come to the library and borrow our materials coming to our facilities,” Gugliotti says.

“The service in our department, it’s something that really speaks to who we are. During the pandemic, we were the only department fully operating and did not close for a day.”

The initiative also fosters a sense of belonging in the community and brings people together, especially during the holiday season and for students who are far from home, Gugliotti says. 

“It can be an emotional time .… I hope [students] see that the sense of togetherness is really present, especially at this time, but hopefully, throughout the year, they know that they can always come to the library if they have a question.”

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