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Student use of Simon Fraser University’s food bank has more than doubled this semester compared with the same period last year.

But coordinator Bonnie Miller thinks the increase may have as much to do with increased marketing over the past year as national trends.

Since SFU Student Services hired her a year ago, the psychology honours student has launched satellite food banks at SFU’s Harbour Centre and Surrey campuses. She has also stepped up publicity for the original Burnaby campus food bank.

Until last summer SFU Food Bank clients in Surrey and Vancouver had to travel to the Burnaby campus or make special arrangements for the delivery of a prepared hamper to their campus.

Miller says these and other changes have influenced the increase of SFU Food Bank clients from 31 individuals last fall to 70 this semester.

The former Surrey Food Bank employee says the SFU annual food bank drive, Nov. 23-Dec. 12, aims to collect enough food to help needy students throughout the year.

“At the end of the semester, we see an increase in clients, as students are running out of government loans and residence meal plans,” says Miller.

The SFU Food Bank primarily serves full-time undergrad students living off campus, but is also open to staff, faculty and UniverCity residents in cases of emergency.

More than 60 SFU departments, schools and programs are collecting donations for SFU’s annual drive.

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