September marks Hunger Action Month, a nationwide campaign dedicated to raising awareness about hunger and inspiring change in our communities. At St. Clair Catholic, every school is committed to ensuring that students have access to nutritious foods throughout the school day. Whether through daily healthy snacks or a full breakfast program, students can rely on their schools to provide fresh, delicious food as needed. This commitment is supported by the Ontario Student Nutrition Program (OSNP), which is projected to serve over 2 million snacks and meals in schools this year. Local partners and donors, including Noelle’s Gift, First Ontario, Enbridge, Maycourt, and many community groups such as the Egg Farmers of Ontario, Stacked Pancake House, JMHI (Insurance Company), and IODE, play a crucial role in making this possible.
In Chatham-Kent, special programs are underway to bolster student nutrition. One such initiative is the Soup For School Food Campaign, which successfully raised funds for OSNP Chatham-Kent by having participating restaurants offer soup specials in March 2024. A portion of the profits from these specials was donated to OSNP-CK. Meanwhile, in Sarnia-Lambton, the OSNP-SW is launching the Lambton Food Procurement Pilot program to evaluate the benefits of centrally procuring food for student nutrition programs. Set to begin in the 2024-25 school year, this pilot aims to enhance nutrition programs at no additional cost to schools while ensuring compliance with nutrition standards and improving food safety.
Nutrition plays a vital role in students’ ability to thrive at school and succeed academically. Scott Johnson, Director of Education, remarked, “As a Board, we are committed to the health and well-being of our students. Hunger Action Month serves as a powerful reminder of our responsibility to ensure every child has access to nutritious food.”
Leslie Palimaka, Community Development Coordinator for Sarnia-Lambton, added, “Together with our community partners, we can create sustainable solutions to combat hunger and ensure that all students have the support they need to thrive.”
Rosanna Waldram, Community Development Coordinator for Chatham-Kent, emphasized, “Through initiatives like the Soup For School campaign, we are making strides in addressing food insecurity and fostering a culture of care in our schools.”
For more insights into the impact of local initiatives, check out this special thank-you video to Noelle’s Gift for their ongoing support of student nutrition across our Board: Watch Here.
As we recognize Hunger Action Month, let us unite to raise awareness and take meaningful steps toward ensuring that no student goes hungry. Together, we can build a healthier, more supportive community for all.
