Ottawa's school breakfast program needs help to meet the needs of delivering meals
If you are hungry, learning is a challenge.
That is why more than three decades ago Ottawa teachers identified a need for a school breakfast program.
On a normal day, in pre-pandemic times, more than 13,500 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 in this region are fed a free nourishing meal through the program.
Nothing is normal now. Those students are all learning remotely.
They cannot rely on school to be the place that nourishes their bodies and their minds.
Heather Norris is the CEO and President of the Ottawa Network For Education, the organization responsible for the breakfast program.
In the early days of the pandemic, how those students were served quickly shifted.
That shift, an increased need and rising food prices have the organization looking much-needed fundraising.
"With extended school closures last year, we shifted the program to reach students learning at home. We created School Breakfast Learn-at-Home kits with a month's worth of shelf stable food," explains Norris.
"To distribute kits we partnered with 51 community agencies; Ottawa Community Housing, emergency shelters, local food banks, and community health and resource centres, to help us feed students across all geographic areas of the city of Ottawa. Kits provided food to help families make ends meet, and help kids feel cared for and remembered by their schools and community."
With in-school learning in September 2021, Norris explains, the School Breakfast Program adapted COVID safety protocols to a 'Serve & Go' and classroom bin model. The food had to be individually portioned and packaged.
Norris saw an increase in the number of students accessing the food.
"January 2022 finds us maneuvering once again," says Norris. "With a return to online learning we are connecting with our school board partners, community partners and stakeholders to be responsive and efficient in supporting immediate and emerging needs."
The obvious need: fundraising.
"The costs associated with pre-packaged, single-serve foods are exponential in addition to increased participation. Example: Moving from loaves of bread to nutritious grain bars. Shifting from bags of milk to single-serve cartons."
"The food budget is greater than ever before. The recent Canada Food Price Report suggests an expected rise between five and seven per cent in 2022."
Our energies are now focused on serving kids in the safest and most effective way possible whether learning in school, or at home.
Norris and her team at the Ottawa Network For Education welcome donations and volunteers.
"ONFE needs to raise $1,000,000 and engage over 3,000 volunteers from the local community each year to run these essential programs for K-12 students in Ottawa.
"The pandemic has brought with it increased need for support and increased costs across all programs. We also need virtual volunteers who can assist and inspire the children and youth we serve by sharing their professional knowledge, skills, and talents."
For more information, to make a donation or volunteer please visit www.onfe-rope.ca or call 613-366-3085 ext. 258.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.