International students in Canada left struggling after food banks restrict access

Hyderabad: With food banks across Canada facing a crisis in supplies and the recent decision to restrict their services to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, thousands of international students and recent graduates have been left scrambling for alternatives to meet basic food needs.For many, food banks were not just a convenience — they were a necessity. Students say the food banks saved them anywhere between CAD 300 to CAD 400 every month. "It is a significant sum when balancing tuition fees, rent, and utilities in a country where the cost of living continues to rise," said a 27-year-old from Hyderabad living in Vancouver and working at a restaurant.Grocery price inflation"I came here with some savings, but I didn't expect food to be this expensive," said another student currently pursuing master's in business management in Surrey. He said, "Food banks really helped me stretch my budget. Now that option is gone, and I have started skipping meals to make things work."The new restrictions, implemented quietly by several food bank networks in recent weeks, have shocked the international student community. The reasoning cited by some providers — that international students must demonstrate financial self-sufficiency for their visas — has been met with frustration by students who argue that paper-based declarations rarely reflect reality once they arrive."I took a loan just to study here. That loan doesn't account for grocery inflation or the fact that part-time jobs are impossible to find right now," said a graduate student from Hyderabad working in a coffee shop in Toronto. "We're not looking for charity — we're trying to survive."Part-time jobs tough to come by International students are legally allowed to work 24 hours per week part-time during their studies, but many say finding those jobs has become increasingly difficult. Retail stores and cafes, once a reliable source of student income, are hiring less and offering fewer hours. Meanwhile, grocery bills continue to surge."It used to be possible to pick up two shifts and manage basic expenses. Now, even those jobs are going to locals who are also struggling. We're stuck — no food bank, no job, no help," the student from Toronto added.