Students at High Park Public School were full of gratitude Wednesday morning after a local non-profit organization committed thousands of dollars to support a student nutrition program at Lambton County schools.
Noelle's Gift to Children is donating $90,000 to the Ontario Student Nutrition Program, which provides funding to 43 schools in Lambton County. The stigma-free and inclusive program allows over 9,900 students to access healthy foods.
A cheque presentation was held at High Park Public School Wednesday morning, where some students personally thanked the organization's Co-chair Nicole Paquette.
High Park students give a thank you card to Nicole Paquette. February 1, 2023. (Photo by Natalia Vega)
"It's a privilege to be able to fundraise and generate extra donations and what not to be able to make sure that those students are fed," said Paquette, who became emotional when thanked by one of the staff members.
"We put on the fundraising events but if it wasn't for the support of the community in helping those events be very successful, we wouldn't be able to do what we do today."
Community Development Coordinator for the Student Nutrition Program Leslie Palimaka said the funding from Noelle's Gift will go a long way in supporting students.
"The Ontario Student Nutrition Program provides $0.12 per child per day and as we know, this is never enough funding to provide a whole snack which costs approximately about $1 per day," she said. "So the Noelle's Gift funding goes a long way to reduce the financial burden that schools face to purchase additional school snacks."
High Park Public School students during the cheque presentation. February 1, 2023. (Photo by Natalia Vega)
Palimaka said the funding provided will be dispersed to schools in three installments, the first of which was provided in January.
As specified by the Ministry of Children and Community Social Services, schools do have guidelines to follow when it comes to purchasing food.
Kate Allison organizes the snack program at High Park Public School and said it has really evolved in order to support more students.
Instead of going to a specific room or person to ask for food, bins are filled with healthy snacks every morning and delivered to all 20 classrooms.
Kate Allison (right) discusses the work done at High Park Public School with the student nutrition program. February 1, 2023. (Photo by Natalia Vega)
However, breakfast options like cereal and oatmeal and sandwiches for lunch are provided to students on an as needed basis.
Allison said most of the food is purchased through a wholesaler and the program heavily relies on donations and volunteers. Members of the Kiwanis Club, students, and staff put a total of about 10 hours per week into the program.
High Park Public School currently has 500 students.
Allison said families are definitely "feeling the crunch" financially so they tell parents, "send your kids to school and we'll feed them."
Noelle's Gift to Children was established in January 2013 in honour of Noelle Paquettte, who was a teacher and active volunteer in the community.
