Before the global pandemic, thousands of students across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley trusted school meal programs as a dependable and necessary source of daily nourishment. Mandated school closures to curb the spread of COVID-19 meant schools needed to quickly adapt their programs to answer to escalating needs, not just from students but their families as well.
Through United Way British Columbia Local Love Food Hubs, school districts across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley will receive over $160,000 to help with food security during this critical time. Funds will be distributed to school districts in Surrey, Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows, Richmond, Coquitlam, Langley, Delta, and the Sunshine Coast. This is in addition to the support United Way provides to community school-based programs that provide backpacks of food for kids, including Backpack Buddies, KidSafe and Starfish Pack, and another way that United Way shows local love to neighbourhood communities.
“Families today face mounting concerns about layoffs, isolation, homeschooling and health. We want our Local Love Food Hubs at neighbourhood schools to remove the worry about food for students and their families,” said Kim Winchell, Senior Director of Strategy and Operations at United Way British Columbia.
“As families settle into their new realities, we are seeing more people accessing food programs out of necessity, a need we are working hard to address.”
The Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District is already seeing an impact from United Way funding: “We have families who are looking for security who have never been in that situation before, families who have lost their income due to COVID. We have 492 students registered for meals, but in reality food is needed for 800 people in order to support families. One of the wonderful benefits of this funding is now we can close this gap and help get more food for those families,” says Jeannie Harnett, coordinator for Safe and Caring Schools, Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District.
Responding to an escalating need
United Way funding means the school district can provide more than 5,600 meals to students in need through the Surrey School District’s adapted program so that students can continue to receive meals while in-class instruction is suspended. The Surrey School District does not turn away any child or family requiring support.
Prior to COVID-19, the Surrey School District served 3,800 meals every day to vulnerable and at-risk students. Breakfast programs ran at more than 60 elementary and high schools and lunch programs were held at 31 sites.
“It’s because of donors like United Way British Columbia that our district is able to continue providing nutritious meals to students in our district,” says Laurie Larsen, Chair of Surrey Board of Education.
“Our school-based meal program makes meals available to all students who may be in need – this includes the 2,100 students who received meals during regular school operations, as well as new students that are getting directed to the program for support during the pandemic.”
One less thing to worry about
School-based meal programs provide reassurance to families who are facing compounded challenges as a result of COVID-19.
“When school closures were announced, for a lot of our families that really depended on our meals programs, not only was there anxiety and stress about not having kids going to school, but then also this additional layer around food. Families were trying to provide breakfast and lunch five days a week on top of their other expenditures and sometimes having a variety of challenges to meet. That we are able to respond with an adapted meal program helps a lot of those anxieties for families that are really concerned about food and food security,” says Jeannie.
Obstacles to having enough
Local Love Food Hubs in neighbourhood schools help families stay connected to their schools, communities and each other. Following strict social distancing and health protocols, school staff are able to stay in contact with families and check in when they come to pick up meals and offer a friendly familiar face.
“These food programs have adapted to the changing circumstances brought about by COVID-19 in a really meaningful way. They give families peace of mind that there will be enough to eat and also help neighbours feel connected to their communities. With the isolation that many people are experiencing, this is now more important than ever,” says Kim.
Feeding the Soul
In Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows, school staff also try to provide weekly prepared meals to further help families who find themselves stretched for time and energy. Whether it’s a frozen lasagna and salad or shepherd’s pie, these prepared meals are a small gesture to let families know the school district is thinking of them.
“Feeding people is a necessity of life. We are feeding the soul and really wanted to show that we have an understanding of what families are going through and acknowledge that these are tough times. The prepared meals can just be popped in the oven and the parent or caregiver doesn’t have to do much prep work. It’s simple to prepare and we hope this gives them a little break in the day and lets them know we’re thinking of them,” says Jeannie.
Together, we can address the urgent need for food
Local Love Food Hubs provide groceries, food hampers, prepared meals, and supermarket gift cards to people facing a lack of food in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. Non-profits, schools and faith-based organizations are stepping in to host Local Love Food Hubs and distribute food. All United Way British Columbia COVID-19 response services are no cost.
United Way has plans to expand the program to up to 50 neighbourhoods in the next month and is anticipating future needs for up to one year. To fund this expansion, United Way British Columbia has launched an immediate and urgent appeal to raise $1 million.
Together, we can make a difference for our neighbours who are in crisis.