By: Saeed Akhtar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter
As the New Year season settled over Chatham‑Kent with biting winds and sub‑zero temperatures, a group of South Asian international students known as the Desi Students turned the harsh winter stretch into an opportunity for compassion, launching a cold‑weather food drive to support fellow students and residents struggling to make ends meet.
What began as a small meal‑sharing effort earlier in the fall grew into a full winter initiative called the Warm Plates Project, a program aimed at helping international students working in the region, as well as local families facing food insecurity during one of the toughest times of the year.
Throughout late December and early January, the students collected donated ingredients and gathered in shared kitchens to prepare hot, nourishing meals — dishes meant to bring comfort during the coldest stretch of the season. The meals were distributed through community partners and directly to students living in rental housing across Chatham‑Kent.
“In our culture, food is how we show love, especially when the weather is cold and people are far from home,” said Aanya Patel, one of the founding members of the Desi Students. “New Year’s is a time for warmth and togetherness, and we wanted to make sure no one felt alone or unsupported.”
Local agencies have reported rising demand for food assistance, particularly among international students balancing tuition, rent and part‑time work. The cold weather only adds to the pressure, with heating costs and transportation challenges making winter especially difficult.
“Winter hits hard when you’re choosing between groceries and keeping the heat on,” Patel said. “We wanted to make sure students and families didn’t feel forgotten during the New Year season.”
Volunteers prepared meals in bulk, packaging individual portions that could be easily reheated after long shifts at local workplaces. The cooking sessions became a cultural exchange, with students sharing recipes, spices and stories from across South Asia.
“Cooking together during the winter break has been so meaningful,” said volunteer Rohan Singh. “It reminds you that the New Year isn’t just about celebrations — it’s about taking care of each other.”
For Zara, an Indo‑Canadian student who recently arrived in Chatham‑Kent, the initiative offered a sense of belonging during her first winter away from home.
“I may be new here, but kindness has no religion or language,” she said. “Helping prepare food during the New Year season made me feel included. It showed me that Chatham‑Kent is a place where people look out for one another.”
Organizers say rising rental costs and limited student housing continue to strain many young people in the region, making food insecurity a year‑round concern. The Desi Students hope to expand the Warm Plates Project in 2026, building partnerships and encouraging more residents to donate ingredients or volunteer time.
“This started as friends helping friends, and it’s grown into something bigger,” Patel said. “In the coldest part of the year, we’re reminded that warmth isn’t just something you find indoors — it’s something you create in your community.”
The group says the winter food drive is now likely to become an annual New Year tradition, reinforcing the message that generosity and compassion should extend well beyond the holiday season.
