Recycling event aids students
It was something like Halloween. Lethbridge residents and students brought some tricks and treats to a University of Lethbridge event Monday.
The good stuff — nonperishable food, cash and cheques — was collected to help U of L students who are struggling to make ends meet. The other items were being shredded or recycled.
It was the latest edition of “Nightmare on Shred Street,” designed to help the Students’ Union Food Bank while getting rid of documents, records and electronic data that’s ready for disposal.
Identity theft and fraud are among the fastest growing crimes in Canada, pointed out Ashley Haughton, manager of records and information at U of L. The university’s information technology services teamed up with Lethbridge Mobile Shredding to provide the no-charge service.
“Lethbridge ranked among the top 40 Canadian cities for identity theft,” she pointed out.
By wiping or degaussing hard drives, media storage devices and other electronic data repositories, Houghton said, consumers can protect themselves from that danger. The public event is held every October — “Cybersecurity Awareness Month.”
October is also when some post-secondary students may be feeling the pinch. The food bank service, launched by students many years ago, responds to urgent needs.
As university enrolment numbers continue to grow, said student president Laura Bryan, so does the need.
“The cost of living is definitely increasing,” she pointed out.
Some students may need more help, later in the year. Hygiene products can be provided as well as basic food, Bryan said. Having that available on campus is important for students who aren’t able to reach the citywide food banks.
Local residents may have another opportunity to support the campus food bank this week, she said, as several campus groups use Halloween events to raise funds for the cause.
At the same time, students and other city residents were able to rid themselves Monday of old or broken monitors, keyboards, mobile devices and other accumulated electronics.
Last year’s cast-offs included an 8-track recording device, Haughton said.
“And the coolest thing was an old Texas Instrument calculator.”
About 2,000 gallons of shredded paper were also collected — and about 120 food items.
“We could double that this year,” she said, as vehicles rolled up to the collection site.
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