With the cost of housing and food on the rise, food insecurity is also rising. To try and alleviate some of those hunger pangs Food4Kids has been brought to Muskoka.
Food4Kids will be running this September in three Huntsville schools. The not-for-profit aims to raise funds for food packages which will be discreetly placed in the backpacks of vulnerable students every Friday before they break for the weekend.
Founding member of the Muskoka branch, Sarah Thatcher, said kids who receive the food packages are referred to the program through school staff and principals and the food is sourced to ensure it is cost-effective. “We have a weekly menu and food is ordered from wholesalers to ensure it is cost-efficient and kid-friendly so that they can make food at home on the weekends,” she explained.
The program will launch by helping 50 kids at the outset while the organization raises more funds. “We are accepting donations and donors will receive a charitable tax receipt. We are also looking for volunteers to help pack food bags on Wednesday and deliver food to schools on Friday.” People can donate now at this link: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/39232?v2=true and indicate it is for the Muskoka region.
“We are launching with 50 kids but recognize that there are many more kids facing food insecurity in our community and will scale appropriately to ensure that our program continues for as many years as needed,” added Thatcher. “Our program provides food for the weekend for kids who go home and do not have any food or means to get any – this is almost an invisible issue as kids may not be able to advocate for themselves or are simply used to not having enough. Life is increasingly challenging for kids and families and we are seeking to stop the weekend hunger gap to help children achieve better health, academic and social outcomes.”
Thatcher said she is grateful for the support of the community so far and said they are seeking people to join in raising awareness of food insecurity for the most vulnerable members of society.
Food4Kids Muskoka is able to feed a child for a weekend for a donation of $15 and for a month for $60. For more information, or to get involved, you can call 705-349-2616 or email [email protected]
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