Laurier Psychology student finds community and connection at Luther’s Food Distro

For third-year Wilfrid Laurier University student Kimiya Moin, a Community Psychology class placement  at Martin Luther University College’s Distro food program has brought connection, community, skill-building and a long-term volunteer opportunity.

In an effort to combat food insecurity, the free weekly Distro program, run by Luther and Laurier Students’ Public Interest Research Group (LSPIRG), provides fresh and non-perishable food items as well as other essentials to Luther and Laurier students who need them.

Moin’s journey at Distro had what any student’s placement can hopefully achieve: a place that sparks their values and interests while building experiences they can take with them after graduation. It was such a great fit that Moin decided to stay on as a long-term volunteer.

“The concepts of Community Psychology, like helping community and understanding what community looks like when it’s supporting itself and supporting others, are all present at Luther’s Distro program,” says Moin.

Distro has many moving parts, and it’s largely volunteers like Moin that make it happen. Every week, fresh food is donated or collected from various local establishments. Volunteers stock shelves and create a safe and welcoming atmosphere for students who use the Distro program.

“I’ve learned from a variety of roles in Distro, like greeting people at the front door and counting how many people come so we know which times are the most popular for students,” says Moin. “We set up the room, restock produce and ensure shelves are full and food is available, so everyone has the same access to a variety of items.”

The mission of the Distro program exemplifies what community means at Luther and Laurier for Moin.

“At Distro, we prioritize the need for produce, rather than staples like oats, rice and spaghetti that are readily available at spots like the Mini Market on campus ,” says Moin. “The focus is on what students might be missing and what they need, rather than what we assume they need.”

Moin explains that this supportive community is at the heart of their volunteer experience at Distro. The personal interactions that happen at Distro create a space where everyone feels welcome and safe to collect the food they need.

“I’m a more introverted person, so it takes a little while to get to know others, but after a whole semester of being here I’ve befriended the other volunteers and built relationships with Distro leaders and management. This has encouraged me to come back to volunteer outside of my placement,” says Moin. “Not only do I get along well with the volunteers, but I’m able to give back to the campus community and see the impact it has on other students, which has been really rewarding.”

Moin’s skills and experiences will carry with them to future job placements, but it’ll also help in their own personal life.

“Even before being a volunteer at Distro, I didn’t realize how big of an issue food insecurity is and what it really means,” says Moin. “Being able to learn about the different ways to preserve and handle food while reducing waste is extremely educational.”

Volunteer positions for Distro are open all-year round for those who want to contribute and build their skills within a supportive community.

“Volunteering somewhere new is always a little scary, but you’ll find such a welcoming community here,” says Moin. “Just being at Distro and volunteering is one of the best parts of my Thursdays, so even if I come from class or it’s a really snowy day in winter, spending time here and being able to interact with the other students is so fun.”

Karly Rath, organizational development and community engagement director for LSPIRG, sees great work from the student volunteers and placement students from Luther and Laurier each week.

"It's amazing that so many students help to run Distro,” says Rath. “Even while juggling school, work, and the hard parts of life, students show up to volunteer because they want to care for their community."