Because graduating into high school does not necessarily mean leaving hungry weekends behind.

High school Initiative

IMPACTFUL ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILIES OF TEENS IN NEED

Established in 2012, Food4Kids Hamilton now has students that have moved on from elementary to high school. 

Graduating into high school does not mean they are no longer living in poverty, and experiencing hunger.

​

We piloted a program in 2018 with two Hamilton high schools. Referred by office and teaching staff, students considered the most impoverished received a package of food for the weekend. 

​

The impacts were astounding. Of the 60 student participants, each shared stories of how food access from Food4Kids impacted their lives. 

​

One student explained his mother, who was in her final stages of cancer, could not afford to feed the children. This 16 year old was responsible for food shopping and feeding her two younger siblings. When food was scarce, her mother went without.

​

There are currently 89 students in the 2020-2021 school year  high school program. Food4Kids Hamilton currently facilitates a high school program in Cathedral Secondary, Glendale Secondary, Westdale Secondary, Sir Winston Churchill Secondary, Waterdown District Secondary and Wilma's Place.

​

impactful assistance

Graduating into high school does not mean students are no longer living in poverty, and experiencing hunger.

"In order for students to be successful, first they need their basic needs met"

00:25

In order for students to feel successful, they need their basic needs to be met...

​

01:05

They arrive to school late perhaps… headaches… stomach aches… Yes, sometimes these physical signs can often be misinterpreted by the teacher or their peers as just behaviour issues.

​

01:59

...Food4Kids Hamilton has really helped to fill the gap of that weekend time.

03:10

Because we know there is a lot more need than we’re servicing right now...