we're aboutkids
OUR BIG WHY
A 10-year-old boy waited outside the locked doors of a school breakfast program. The program was to start at 8:15 and the child stood outside at 7:15 in the dark, in the cold and alone. He explained he had not had any food on the weekend and was hungry. Could he please have some food? This child inspired the launch of the Food4Kids program.
The reality of child hunger became clear through this experience. A steering committee was formed in November 2011 to determine the need and scope of developing a weekend feeding program for at-risk children within Hamilton and Halton.
A program model was developed with a focus on 3 distinct areas:
1. Food provided in food packages would be healthy
2. Each child in the home would receive their own food package, to ensure nourishment of all children in the home
3. To ensure a non-stigmatizing process to distribute food packages to participants
We currently facilitate programs in 63 Hamilton elementary schools and 10 Hamilton high schools. Each week, these schools receive 1,300 packages of healthy food to distribute to children enrolled in the program.
— Parent
"I never thought our family would depend on others for food. With a medical problem, I had no choice but to quit work. As a single parent raising 2 great kids, there is barely enough money for rent, little money for food and absolutely no money for extras. When the school asked if I would like to involve my kids in the Food4Kids program, all I could do was cry. Knowing my children have food brings comfort. The fresh fruits, soups and healthy snacks are appreciated. Thank you for this service. The volunteers at Food4Kids are angels."
i never thoughT our family would depend on others for food