Western Campus Safety and Emergency Services is running a winter charity program in collaboration with the USC to provide winter clothing to students in need.
Students can fill out a form to request items, which is linked to Western Foot Patrol and Western Special Constable Service Instagram accounts. The program processes requests anonymously and does not ask for identification from students.
WSCS staff sergeant Amanda Pfeffer said they have received dozens of requests — most for warm coats and waterproof gloves.
“I think this program would be very beneficial for international students,” said Eric Wei, an Ivey Business School HBA1 student and residence don on an international student community floor in Alumni Hall.
Wei said students who have not experienced a Canadian winter can be unsure about what clothes to bring from their home country.
“If they are here during first semester, they might be on the fence of whether or not they need things like boots or winter jackets,” said Wei.
Wei also acknowledged the financial barriers that exist for international students.
“They are coming from abroad, which costs a lot financially,” said Wei. “Winter clothes aren’t cheap.”
Statistics Canada reported 7.4 per cent of Canadians are living below the poverty line and three in four Canadians are finding it difficult to meet day-to-day expenses. With inflation steadily increasing since 2022, winter clothing items are increasingly difficult to afford.
Volunteers from WSCS, Foot Patrol and Fire Safety help run this program, contributing “what they can in terms of donations and time for organization,” said Pfeffer.
While the drive is scheduled to end on Dec. 1, Pfeffer said they intend to transition it into a self-serve cabinet in the WSCS office stocked with sweaters, hats, gloves and socks.
Western will continue to accept donations for this cabinet after Dec. 1. Donors can leave them in the foyer of the WSCS office in Lawson Hall.
“We are in need of men’s and women’s winter jackets in good used condition or new condition at this time,” said Pfeffer.
Pfeffer said they are interested in bringing back the winter clothing drive next fall.