“I have seen first hand the impact of students knowing that they can depend on the routine of coming to school and being fed. Many students do not know exactly how they will manage their day when they are distracted by the possibility of being hungry. We also get to learn, through the breakfast program, which families are most in need in our community.” – school nutrition coordinator
The return of school felt unusual for many this year, but the feelings of hunger were familiar to many students as they returned to the classroom. Food for Learning ensures that all students have daily access to healthy food while at school. We know that when students eat better, they are engaged in their learning, experience a sense of belonging at school and develop lifelong healthy eating habits. As they did before, many children and youth in our community continue to experience hunger during the pandemic. Food for Learning can help to alleviate this issue by providing food at school.
From the moment we heard, in March 2020, that schools were going to be closed due to Covid 19, Food for Learning staff sprang into action. Kellie Brace, Student Nutrition Program Coordinator said: “We were quick to realize that if students would not be eating at school, we needed to come up with another option to help families who struggle and rely on the school’s student nutrition programs. Conference calls and zoom meetings starting happening right away and soon plans were in place to help families during the school closure, to continue with student nutrition program support while learning was happening at home.” Between March and August 2020, Food for Learning was able to provide a total of $343,000 in support to local students experiencing hunger while learning at home. It was necessary, but to do so put a strain on our cash flow. We need your support NOW MORE THAN EVER, to help us ensure that the quality of our 2020-21 programs are not in jeopardy. This year, to meet the demands of our programs, Food for Learning will need to raise $250,000.
This school year, Food for Learning programs needed to be adapted to mitigate impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic. This includes a move to the provision of prepackaged individual food servings for each student, which will be a change from our past practice of bulk purchasing which maximized our buying power. This shift is necessary to ensure the safety of students and staff. However, after only one month of school, we are already experiencing a significant increase in program costs.
Considering the increase cost, increased participation and loss of fundraising revenue due to the pandemic, Food for Learning is needing additional funding for this school year. We are reaching out to the community to request support to help us meet the needs of all students in Hastings and Prince Edward counties. Your donation to Food for Learning will help to provide food directly to local students!
Student Nutrition Programs are necessary. Over 4, 000 students in Hastings and Prince Edward counties have accessed a program each day. We know that students in our area arrive at school hungry for a variety of reasons – poverty, rushed mornings, long bus rides, etc. Regardless of the reason, we aim to minimize hunger faced by children and youth in our community. And for the first time ever, to ensure equal access to nutrition on a daily basis, Food for Learning will now also be supporting those students who are learning from home virtually that would otherwise rely on a Food for Learning program when in school. When describing the importance of the Food for Learning at their school, one student nutrition coordinator shared, “I feel that both health and wellness of our student nutrition program contribute to a more positive school environment that supports student self-regulation physically, emotionally, and mentally, which leads to increased student performance, self-esteem, and social skills. It is a vital program to help improve and maintain our overall school climate.” The support received through the generosity of our community will make this possible.
In a typical school year, Food for Learning programs provide over a million meals and snacks through student nutrition programs! NOW MORE THAN EVER, every donation will count. If you are able to support in any amount, please consider making a donation now by visiting www.hpefoodforlearning.ca.
OR your donation can be mailed or delivered to:
Food for Learning
c/o The Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation
156 Ann Street
Belleville, ON K8N 3L3
(please make cheques payable to The Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation)
For more information, please contact:
Kellie Brace, Food for Learning Coordinator, The Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation
(613) 966-1170, ext. 62232
