GUELPH – The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington has launched its annual campaign, Help Kids Live Free from Hunger.
Among the recipients of the campaign is the Food and Friends program, which helps fund many of the breakfast, lunch and snack programs at a number of schools in the Wellington Catholic District School Board.
“We rely on this funding to ensure we are able to offer healthy, fresh food choices to our students daily free of charge. Each year we make over 7,000 lunches for students,” stated Kellie Angerilli, principal of St. John Bosco in a press release.
“Our Food & Friends program is one of the cornerstones of our program as many of our students and families struggle with food security in the home.
“For some students, the food they receive at school might be the only balanced nutrition they receive in the day. For many, it is the main reason they come to school.”
St. John Bosco’s lunch supervisor Abby Galvez, said having a campaign that provides students with daily lunches is essential for the school community.
“Generally, high school students live busy lives with a growing list of responsibilities and activities,” Galvez said.
“This program allows us to take some stress off of the students and parents/guardians in regard to purchasing and preparing lunches, knowing that a number of them may not have the opportunity to have these meals otherwise.”
Through funding provided by the Food and Friends program, Galvez is able to provide balanced meals, sandwich days and hot lunches all while planning and preparing meals with dietary restrictions, food allergies and intolerances considered.
While it is always the student’s choice to engage in the food program, on any given day the program will see 30 to 45 students receiving meals.
“In a typical year, we hold a special Live Free Lunch at the beginning of March and invite community members to join us at Bosco for lunch in lieu of a donation.
“This year, we shifted to a virtual campaign. We are asking our staff, parents and guardians and the greater community to consider making a donation online,” said Angerilli.
To donate, visit https://www.childrensfoundation.org/ways-to-help/events/live-free-campaign.
