Spread Some Holiday Cheer with the GSS: The holiday season can be a joyful time but also a challenging one for some graduate students and their families. This year, let’s come together as a community to make the season brighter.
The GSS Holiday Hamper Program helps support UBC Vancouver graduate students facing financial challenges. Each hamper is thoughtfully curated to meet the unique needs of individual students because everyone deserves to celebrate the season with warmth and care.
Our team will handle the assembly, and hampers will be available for pickup at the GSS Office.
Join us in spreading joy and kindness this holiday season!
Questions? Email aa@gss.ubc.ca
Donation Drive
Your support is crucial for the success of the Holiday Hamper Program! Heading into our fourth year of the initiative, the GSS provides fellow graduate students, as well as university departments and units, with a chance to create a memorable holiday season for UBC graduate students and student-families.
We warmly welcome all donations at the GSS Office (452-6371 Crescent Rd, Thea Koerner House, 4th Floor Penthouse, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2) until November 21, 2025. Thank you!
Recommended items for donation (including items suitable for student-families)
1. Treats/Snacks
- Gingerbread House
- Kit
- Good Quality
- Chocolates
- Hot Chocolate Mix
- Apple Cider Mix
- Tea
- Popcorn (microwave)
- Candy Canes
- Cookies (boxed and festive-themed)
- Panettone (boxed)
- Cereal (festive themed)
- Marshmallows (festive ones)
2. Family-Games/Activities
- Family Games
- Puzzles (250–500 pieces)
- UNO
- Playing Cards
- Holiday Crackers (pull-apart novelties with prizes inside)
- Colouring Pencils
- Colouring Books
3. Household Items
- Toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner,hand cream)
- Candles
Hampers Sign Up
Please ensure that you fill out the form below completely. The application window is open until November 14th at 5 p.m. Applicants who are selected will receive an email notification in late November. A distribution of results will take place from December 1 – 5.
To be eligible, recipients must:
- Currently, be registered as graduate students at UBC Vancouver.
- Fill out the sign-up form, providing details about their need for assistance and any specific barriers they face in pursuing their studies at UBC.
Preference will be given to applicants who belong to one or more of the following groups:
- Single parent students
- Students with families
- LGBTQIA2S+ students
- Indigenous students
- Students of colour
- Students with disabilities
- International students (please note, international students must be in Vancouver to collect a Hamper)
Please be aware that completing this form does not guarantee that you will receive a hamper. Additionally, by submitting this form, you consent to the GSS contacting you. You will need to pick up the hamper from the GSS office on the UBC campus.
The sign-up form has been closed!
