Due to the economic crisis that swept through North America and the rest of the globe, it comes as no surprise that the number of residents here in the City of Thunder Bay found to have been using food banks has risen noticeably over the past few years. In an effort to accommodate this increasing demand, students from Lakehead University are working on a project to do what they can and help.

Members of the university’s Students In Free Enterprise Team have sought the help of Quality Market and Saint John’s Ambulance in organizing their “Let’s Can Hunger Challenge”. The project, which is being sponsored by Campbell’s Soup, is aimed at filling at least one Saint John’s Ambulance full of canned goods and other non-perishable food items, which will then be donated to the Regional Food Distribution Association. According to the project’s team leader, Allison O’Shea, the support from shoppers at Quality Market has been nothing short of amazing.

All the collected food items will be distributed to the food banks in the region under the RFDA umbrella. You too can help out by collecting your own donations and dropping them at your nearest food bank.

Thunder Bay students from Lakehead University recently underwent a makeover, shaving their heads to raise awareness and funds for cancer patients at an annual charity held in the city. University staff also participated during the event, donating their hair to Locks of Love, a program that collects hair to be used in creating hairpieces for less fortunate youths 18 and below suffering from the debilitating disease.

According to 21-year-old Lakehead student Marty Johnston, he’s long wanted to cut his hair off, but wanted to do it for a charitable event like the one held earlier this week. He added that he was going to shave it all off sooner or later.

Sporting edgy blue highlighted hair, Johnston shaved it all off in front of a cheering crowd. He said that he’s going to miss it, especially since it gave him the opportunity to make a fashion statement of sorts.

19-year-old Tyler Dilallo, one of the event’s organizers, hopes that the display raises awareness on how cancer affects the lives of those who suffer from it. It’s especially sad to see individuals afflicted with the disease trying to hold things together, he said.

The event was created in the hopes of raising $1,500, which will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society.

As part of a project to spread some care and love in the city, students from a local university recently gave away free hot chocolate at the Water Street bus terminal, here in the City of Thunder Bay.

Lakehead University students whipped up some warm beverages for passengers boarding and coming from the city buses plying Thunder Bay on Tuesday. According to the students, it was their way of paying things forward and showing random acts of kindness to the community.

Student Erin Carter, one of those who worked on the project, said the goal was to give back as much as they could to the community. In the end, they came up with a project where each of their individual talents could be utilized and brought together for a good cause.

Throughout February, around 20 students from the Environmental Education program organized events ranging from free hugs, free postcards, and senior home activities, said Carter. Her class wanted to make Thunder Bay known as great community to live in, she added.

At first, the class had trouble giving away the hot chocolate, since people were a bit skeptical of being offered something for free. But they eventually warmed up to the idea and were amazed by the students’ hard work.