GM helps feed hungry school kids

A student arrived at school with a lunch bag filled only with pizza crusts.

This kind of disturbing event is something that has been seen in Niagara, said Anne Kirkpatrick, program manager for Niagara Nutrition Partners ( NNP), a region- wide program that offers support and co- ordination for nutrition initiatives in elementary and secondary schools.

Since 1998, NNP has been helping feed students around the region and donations like the recent one made by General Motors in St. Catharines are what make the program sustainable.

For three years in a row, the plant has supported the program and this week it donated $ 5,000 worth of food to be distributed to 10 schools in Fort Erie, Port Colborne and Thorold.

Today, there are 200 breakfast, lunch and snack programs offered around the region, which leads to 17,000 students being served daily.

Kirkpatrick says the programs are geared for hungry kids and that those who take advantage of the fresh and hot meals have nothing to feel ashamed of.

“They can use the program without feeling embarrassed or humiliated – without having to cross that threshold,” she said.

The organization’s mission is to provide ‘ food for fuel’ so students can ‘ eat right and learn,’ getting the most out of their education at an early age.

“It makes a huge difference in how kids start their day,” she said.

The programs offered are made possible through school fundraising and generous donations from the community, as well as a grant from Ontario’s Ministry of Child and Youth Services that covers 15 per cent of all costs.

Part of the struggle is that some schools can’t fundraise or leverage as much support from local donors as others.

“Some schools do a great job, but some schools don’t have the capacity to raise a dime within their own community,” said Kirkpatrick.

Children leaving the house hungry is a widespread issue all over Niagara, but there are some pockets more in need than others, according to Kirkpatrick.

Parts of St. Catharines, Welland, Niagara Falls and Fort Erie are some of the areas that need the most help, she said.

“There really is a need in every community,” she said.

Three schools in Fort Erie are recipients of an equal portion of the recent donation: Peace Bridge Public School, John Brant Public School and Greater Fort Erie Secondary School.

Cindy Kohinski, principal of Peace Bridge Public School, said the program offers a great partnership and that has a major impact in classrooms, in the hallway and during recess.

“It makes a huge difference in the day – the students are much more prepared to learn,” she said.

More than 100 students at Peace Bridge Public School take advantage of the program each day.

An event was held on Wednesday at Ontario Public School in Thorold to announce the donation by General Motors.