This holiday season, a group of Queen’s student-athletes took time away from preparing for exams to organize a donation drive for Martha’s Table, a Kingston non-profit organization that supplies food to people in need. An annual tradition, this year’s drive gathered more than 550 food items and raised more than $1,000. It is led each year by the Varsity Leadership Council (VLC), the committee comprised of and representing students involved in university athletics.

“This would not have been possible without the support across all varsity teams and clubs as well as the support of athletics staff,” says Miles Brackenbury, Co-President, VLC. “Martha's Table does great work in the community, and this is just one small way to help them. We hope to continue to do more to combat food insecurity in our community and make systemic changes into the second term. It’s so important to give back year-round and not just around the holidays.”

Queen's Athletics & Recreation (A&R) contributed to the donation drive by organizing a series of drop-in fitness classes that were free with a food bank donation. Staff members from A&R’s Facilities team also supported the initiative by helping deliver the donations to Martha’s Table.

Martha’s Table provides community members in need with nutritious meals and a gathering space where they can find social support. It has been serving Kingston since 1997.

“Queen’s student-athletes always step up at this time of year to help us provide food to the community over the holidays,” says Ronda Candy, Executive Director of Martha’s Table. “The donation they bring is significant each year, and we’re very grateful to everyone who contributed to this year’s drive.”

Some student-athletes also took the drive as an opportunity to spread holiday cheer. While out collecting donations, the Track and Field Team and the Cross Country Team sang carols for members of the Kingston community.

Student impact on the community

This donation makes up part of Queen’s social and economic impact on the Kingston community and surrounding area, which has been measured in a study conducted by Deloitte. That study found that Queen’s students, faculty, and staff annually raise more than $1 million to support local causes. It also found that Queen’s students work thousands of volunteer hours for local causes.

Learn more about the community and economic impact of Queen’s students and read the full study on the Queen’s Economic and Community Impact website.