Lunch program enjoys success

‘MINDFUL MUNCHIES’ PROJECT HAS THRIVED IN LOCAL SCHOOLS

The Lethbridge Food Bank and My City Care’s “Mindful Munchies” program has proven to be a success in just over four months. The program is designed to provide children with free healthy lunch options.

“Our intention was to provide nutritious healthy food — a balanced meal — for all the kids that are in need,” said Food Bank executive director Maral Kiani Tari.

Initially 11 schools were involved, working out to about 600 lunches a week. Now there’s 15 schools and agencies participating and nearly double the amount of lunches are served each week.

The partners help prepare and deliver the meals, while schools are responsible for how they choose to distribute the items. The freedom allows teachers the opportunity to identify students who may benefit from the program.

“We provide them either with bundles or items, depending on how the school distributes it and how they set it up,” said Kiani Tari. “We left it very open for them to do it in a nonstigmatizing way,” she explained. “You don’t have to qualify to actually receive this.”

There are numerous breakfast programs offered throughout the city but Kiani Tari felt the lunch hour was sometimes overlooked.

That’s why every Monday and Wednesday, two volunteers and a food bank staff member help prepare bins full of healthy food for delivery.

My City Care delivers the items to the appropriate schools and they’re currently searching for more drivers. Interested volunteers are asked to contact Jennifer Tribble with My City Care at jen@myvicotry.ca.

Funding for the program came from the United Way, 100 Companies that Care and through Lethbridge Food Bank’s Care for Kids Golf Tournament. The program costs approximately $2 per child.

“With the number of schools increasing, we’re anticipating that more probably would want to join and with that it means the cost is going to go up. We’re always looking for volunteers, we’re always looking for any sponsorship,” Kiani Tari added.