Student Nutrition Volunteers Honoured by The Grocery Foundation

Thanks to the efforts of volunteers from across the province, kids returning to school are starting their day off right with a healthy meal. It's ...

Thanks to the efforts of volunteers from across the province, kids returning to school are starting their day off right with a healthy meal.

It's little surprise these volunteers are known to school administrators and parents as the lifeblood of student nutrition, providing both nutritious meals and a welcoming environment for students. But outside of their immediate community, few people know of these amazing individuals who are making a difference in the lives of countless children from across the province.

To honour these volunteers and their efforts, The Grocery Foundation, has made arrangements for $500 donation in their name which will go towards vital capital equipment such as fridges and stoves. These volunteers are being identified in 14 regions across the province and will be profiled here in the coming weeks.

We invite you to join us in thanking them for their dedication and for nourishing our neighbourhoods.

School: Woodbine HS, Toronto, ON
Grades: 7 - 9
Volunteer: Sharon Morgan

Thanks to Sharon, Woodbine Jr. H.S. in Toronto now has a student nutrition program in operation!. Sharon was nominated for her role in ensuring this program got off the ground, despite being on maternity leave. Thanks to her efforts, all children returning to school today have access to this universally open program supporting their success throughout the school year. Thank you, Sharon!

*As Sharon was on maternity leave, she was not present during the cheque presentation. 

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We are so grateful to Canadians who support Toonies for Tummies during our annual store campaign and, year-round, online.

You may know on April 16th, the Federal Government confirmed plans to support student nutrition programs. Specifically, the budget has announced the creation of a National School Food Program, which will provide $1 billion over five years to Employment and Social Development Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and Indigenous Services Canada, starting in 2024‑25.

You may wonder what does this government funding mean specific to the need and our efforts to fundraise?

Without a doubt, we continue to need your support. While many student nutrition program leaders are encouraged by the incremental government support, many have taken to the news and social media to confirm even with this support, funding gaps will persist.

The Grocery Foundation's Vision, that no Canadian child goes to school hungry, remains fully intact. Our work continues and remains vital to support hungry children through their school’s student nutrition program. There is no change whatsoever in our focus, our mission, or our reliance on your support.

The programs we help fund are universal in nature. That means all children who require a healthy meal have access. Those on the front lines of these programs affirm their positive impact and positive halo beyond the day’s nutrition, from attendance, behaviours to the school community and mental health. The programs you help fund also support foundational nutrition knowledge and social skill building, as many programs include mechanisms for student involvement in menu planning, food preparation and serving of food to peers.

Thank you for choosing to support hungry children in your community, nourishing their health, well-being, academic success while fostering their school community. With your continued support, we will continue to help dreams take flight and nourish over 3,000 programs and neighbourhoods, yours among them.