PECI’s lunch program, which started February 11, tackles the pressing issue of food insecurity among children.

Across 26 elementary classes, 2-4 children per class attend school each day with either a poor quality lunch or no food at all. At PECI, that means 50 to 100 kids are at school hungry. 

The Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation’s (HPELF) Food for Learning and Sharing Cupboard programs already provide healthy snacks and other food assistance initiatives, but PECI’s parent community representative Bethany Mulder-Kelly said need at the school is outpacing the available resources.

“PECI is the County’s community school and these kids are our future,” she said. “Ensuring they have access to nourishing meals during the school day is something we can all rally behind.”

Volunteers and Funds needed

Food for Learning gets grant funding earmarked for food insecurity programming at PECI in addition to the Healthy Snack and Dry Cupboard programs, but no one knows how long that will last.

Food for Learning operates 134 programs at 70 sites across Hastings-Prince Edward at elementary and secondary schools. Amost 60 percent of their resources come from Ontario’s Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.

“We believe we will be able to continue through the end of the school year, but we don’t know much beyond that,” said parent rep Alyssa Hawkins.

Organizers are asking for the community’s help. To keep the Free Bagged Lunch program operating, donors and volunteers are needed. Those wishing to donate can do so through the HPELF’s Food for Learning page on its website.

Organizers ask donors to earmark them for PECI in the private message section of the form to ensure the funds benefit local students. Tax receipts will be provided.

Local folks can also pitch in by helping prepare lunches for the following day at PECI’s commercial kitchen. Contact Ms. Hawkins at alysahawkins@gmail.com to get involved.

“We are a small but dedicated team of teachers and volunteers committed to ensuring no child at PECI goes hungry. I believe in the strength of this community and know that we can come together to achieve this goal,” she added.