What started as a small idea grew into a campus-wide initiative that resulted in more than 700 University of Lethbridge students receiving a free breakfast this week.

The Buy a Student Breakfast program started with the University’s Office of Alumni Relations as a way to engage its alumni with the current U of L student body. As semester-end projects are due and final exams approach, the idea was to find a way to give students a little pick-me-up from those who had lived the student lifestyle and could appreciate the stress they were feeling.

“It can be a tough time of year for students, they are facing a lot of demands and a lot of pressure, and we thought this was a way to show them that there are people thinking of them and looking out for them,” says Lyndsay Montina, manager, Alumni Relations. “It started so well, we expanded it to the entire University community.”

For a $10 donation, people were able to buy two students a breakfast sandwich and a large coffee or tea from the Campus Coffee Company in the Students’ Union Building. Earlier this week, volunteers handed out the purchased vouchers to students as they made their way to classes. Students then expressed their thanks via social media and the hashtag #thanksabrunch.

“It may have been a small gesture but for some students, it really meant the world and showed them that they are part of a community that’s invested in helping them achieve their goals,” adds Montina.