Demand for meals for hungry students expected to jump: charity
Posted Sep 2, 2021 1:24 pm.
Last Updated Sep 2, 2021 9:58 pm.
CALGARY – Calgary volunteers are hard at work to make sure students don’t go hungry this school year–a small act that makes the world of difference.
The 300 hands behind Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids have been able to increase school attendance by simply giving students a healthy lunch.
Brittany Vine, the program director, says having a proper meal can mean the difference between going to school or staying home for some kids.
“We’ve also talked to teachers who have told us that before they deal with any sort of discipline or behaviour issues in their classroom, they always ask the child if they’ve had enough to eat. And that many times, what can look like a behaviour issue is just a hungry child.”
Right now, about 3,900 students rely on the organization, which is about the same as the need at the end of the last school year.
But over the next few weeks, they expect it to rise near all-time highs of 5,500–that’s enough kids to fill 110 school buses.
Volunteers with brown Bagging It for Calgary Kids prepare lunches for hungry students. Sept. 2, 2021. (PHOTO: Stefanie Lasuik, CityNews)
“We’re looking to really see what those numbers become. But definitely, we’ve been in touch with many families who’ve talked to us about the challenges that COVID and changes in work have made for their families and the need for those food supports,” said Vine.
The volunteers prepare the food, pack up each school’s order, and load them up for delivery.
Throughout the city, 27 community kitchens do the same.
“We have five different community groups that are hosted in co-op kitchens, we have a few that are in community centres or churches, we even have high-schoolers that are preparing lunches and dropping them off at a neighbouring school,” Vine shared.
They’ll pack and repeat until the end of the school year and are always looking for food and monetary donations to keep the program running.
They’re always looking for extra hands and donations to keep the program running. Volunteers can apply at www.bb4ck.org and the back-to-school fundraising campaigning is yycfeedskids.ca.
Families in need of food support can contact the organization directly at info@bb4ck.org, or speak to a teacher at their school to get connected.
