It takes a special kind of student to turn a faculty strike into an opportunity to do good – and that’s exactly what a small group of Humber College students did.

When the students, enrolled in Humber’s School of Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism, learned they’d have some extra time outside the classroom during the five-week work stoppage, they took it upon themselves to get together and donate their expertise and time to homeless shelters across the city.

Working on behalf of the Canadian Association of Foodservice Professionals, the group got together to pack and deliver lunches to homeless shelters across the city and also organized a highly successful Winter Clothing Drive to collect warm clothing for those in need.

Inspired by their students’ generosity, Humber officials welcomed the chance to make their charitable efforts easier by inviting the group to use the college’s culinary labs last Friday, Dec. 8 to prepare lunches with food donated by the School of Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism.

At the end of the day, the students managed to deliver 80 meals to various homeless shelters around the city – including shelters at Sherbourne and Dundas, Queen and Sherbourne, as well as Good Shepherd.

The clothing drive was also hugely successful, said Humber nutrition student Jessika Jaime, with her and her classmates collecting more than 400 pieces of clothing and shoes.

“The demand for clothing was so high that many individuals came up to us asking if we had specific items they needed, so most of the clothing was actually given out right on the street to people in need,” Jaime said.

“Before we arrived to the shelters, we gave out at least ten jackets, over 100 pairs of socks, and a bunch of hats, scarves and mitts to individuals living without housing. Whatever was left over was donated to Covenant House.”