The food pantry, which fights food insecurity for all students, will receive $30,000 through the combined efforts of those who completed the Employee Engagement Survey, Human Resources, CUPE Local 4580, and the Office of the President.
The University of Windsor Students’ Alliance food pantry will receive a generous donation this month, thanks to the collective efforts of UWindsor employees who participated in the Employee Engagement Survey, Human Resources, Local 4580 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, and the Office of the President.
The food pantry, which fights food insecurity for all students, will receive $30,000 in total donations through the efforts of these groups.
When the Employee Engagement Survey Advisory Committee met to discuss possible incentives for employee completion of the University’s first Employee Engagement Survey, the team proposed a creative, student-supporting approach. For each survey completed, the Office of the President committed to donate $2 to the Food Pantry. With a final response rate of 952 surveys completed representing 48 per cent of staff and faculty, the Office of the President was set to donate $2,000.
Marcela Ciampa, director of organizational development and training, adds her gratitude to everyone who participated in the survey. “Your feedback will help us create the conditions in the work environment that allows everyone to do their best, feel valued, supported, and included,” she said. “Because of your collective efforts the shelves of the UWSA Food Pantry will be filled.”
At the same time, the membership of CUPE Local 4580 and its president Emily Varga wanted to support local charities including the Campus Food Pantry, Hiatus House, and Street Help. Varga says the union — which represents approximately 1,300 UWindsor graduate and teaching assistants — wanted to see their funds directly benefit the community.
“As a union, we were in a position to share during a time of need,” said Varga. “Located on campus, the food pantry is as local as it gets, and it benefits our own members when they need help accessing food.”
The leadership of these groups inspired the Office of the President to increase the amount raised through the university’s first Employee Engagement Survey to $15,000 to match the donation from CUPE Local 4580.
For more information about the Food Pantry, visit the UWSA website.