Free Nutritious Lunches for Kids in Port Alberni and Ucluelet: A Community Triumph
Parents in Port Alberni and Ucluelet facing the challenge of rising grocery costs can now breathe a bit easier, thanks to an inspiring collaboration between Pacific Rim School District (SD70) and the British Columbia-based food charity, Nourish Cowichan. This innovative partnership aims to provide free, healthy lunches and snacks for students, symbolizing a community effort to combat food insecurity.
The School Meal Program has been launched at all six elementary schools in Port Alberni, as well as the Alberni District Secondary School, Eighth Avenue Learning Centre, Ucluelet Elementary, and Ucluelet Secondary School for the 2024-2025 academic year. It is co-funded through the Ministry of Education and Child Care’s Feeding Futures initiative, highlighting a collective commitment to ensuring children’s nutritional needs are met.
The beauty of this program is its accessibility; parents only need to reach out to their respective schools to enroll their children. The schools also have an “open door policy,” meaning no child is ever turned away due to hunger. Fatima Da Silva, executive director and executive chef of Nourish Cowichan, emphasizes the importance of this initiative, stating, “We are feeding the children with all the kindness and dignity we can.”
With food options ranging from soups and chili to wraps and casseroles, this partnership addresses the acute rise in food insecurity, which has seen a staggering 30% increase in student participation in food programs compared to last year. Nick Seredick, principal of Eighth Avenue Learning Centre, expressed his enthusiasm, describing the program as a “game changer” for the community, enriching connections between staff and students.
Launched in 2016 with just one breakfast program, Nourish Cowichan now operates with a dedicated team of around 90 volunteers, helping provide nourishing meals to 1,800 children across 23 schools in the Cowichan Valley School District (SD79) — all at no cost to the schools. Port Alberni and Ucluelet’s new program represents Nourish Cowichan’s first venture outside its district boundaries, eagerly engaging with the 4,000 students that SD70 serves, including those from remote communities like Bamfield.
Rod Allen, board president of Nourish Cowichan, points out the heartwarming community support for this initiative: “This is the community speaking. This is the community coming together and supporting their kids without question.” Da Silva echoes this sentiment, highlighting that it’s an honor to contribute to the journey of nourishing the youth.
The collaboration goes beyond just meals. SD70’s Healthy Schools Manager, Kirsten Nesbitt, emphasizes that this partnership, alongside existing relationships with providers in Bamfield and the Wickaninnish Community School in Tofino, will ensure that all children have equitable access to nutritious meals and the opportunity to thrive.
However, with increasing demand, Nesbitt has extended an invitation to local businesses to participate in this noble cause, whether through donations or as volunteers. “Every contribution of ,000 feeds a student for an entire school year,” she points out, underlining the critical role that community involvement plays in sustaining such programs.
Currently, the central kitchen and hub at E.J. Dunn Elementary School in Port Alberni is undergoing renovations, but the team has swiftly initiated services, providing sandwiches and salads while preparing for more substantial hot meals as the kitchen develops.
The commitment to providing nourishing meals extends even to independent schools, such as the Maaqtusiis Secondary School in Ahousaht, which is also running a breakfast and snack program for its students.
With the recent announcement of a National School Food Program in collaboration with the federal government, the future looks promising. “This has the potential to greatly complement the Feeding Futures School Meal Program,” says Nesbitt, suggesting that such initiatives can foster a healthier future for all children.
For anyone interested in supporting or volunteering for the new School Meal Program in Port Alberni and Ucluelet, more information is available through Nourish Cowichan’s website.
Tags: #Tourism, #Politics, #BusinessNews, #Lifestyle, #SportNews
