No student will have to go hungry in Chatham-Kent this school year, thanks to a local food program that's up and running again.
The Chatham-Kent Nutrition Program was also presented with a $5,000 cheque from the Better Things Community Grant by Desjardins Thursday morning at the Monsignor Uyen Catholic School in Chatham. The program provides nutritious snacks and breakfast for students in all schools across the Lambton-Kent and St. Claire school boards, with the exception of one which has its own program in place.
According to Allan Davies, who works for the nutrition program, a hungry student is a hindered student.
"When kids come to school hungry they are unable to concentrate," Davies said. "We are finding when we have food at the school, we are seeing better attendance, better academic success and student behaviour is improving as well. Both teachers and principals attest to that."
Davies added the program is universal. He said it doesn't matter why a student comes to school hungry, as long as they're registered they'll get fed.
"It could be food insecurity, but it could also be they had to be up early for practice, the early morning bus ride, or some kids are just fussy and aren't hungry in the morning," Davies said.
The program is run by volunteers and Davies said new ones are always needed because most of the time it is parents who step up. He added as the students move on to other grades and eventually leave school, the parents who volunteer go with them, so every year more are needed to replace them.
"Volunteers can come in for an hour a week or more," Davies said. "They can help prep or serve the food. Shopping is a big component for this as well. We have to appreciate all the shopping that has to go into it ahead of time and then the prepping and storage."
Davies said the program is given a student nutrition guideline which follows the Canada Food Guide, so students will get the correct amount of nutrients and restricted sugars.