The Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation has continued to make sure no student goes without support during the COVID-19 crisis.
Learning Foundation Executive Director Maribeth deSnoo spoke during the Hastings Prince Edward District School Board virtual public board meeting on Monday night.
She says as of April 20, almost 1,800 students have received support through grocery gift cards at a cost of $104,500.
DeSnoo also said over $32,000 has been given to food banks for families with children for a total of $137,000 in total support since the beginning of March break.
She says 32% of requests to the Learning Foundation have been for food support.
Foundation Chair Susan Sweet was also in attendance and stated the need hasn’t gone away and in some cases the need is even greater right now. She says the importance of the Learning Foundation’s existence has never been more evident than it is now, and support from HPEDSB has never been more important.
The Steering Committee has approved expenditures of $50,000 monthly until school returns, with donations being added to that.
The Food for Home program will continue for July and August with $58,000 in grocery gift cards.
The total support up to the end of August will be a minimum of over $400,000.
This year hasn’t been without its challenges as the Feed the Meter campaign has been the only campaign they have been able to launch this year for funding.
Events postponed until 2021 are: Take a Bit out of Hunger, Mainly Music, annual Food for Learning auction and the annual Student Emergency Fund Golf Tourament.
