Even in good times, for many students school meal programs are the difference between being hungry or fed. As the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues, more people are facing food insecurity.
Superintendent Gina Niccoli-Moen:
We recognize that some of our families may be struggling during this challenging time and we are working to make sure food support is available. Should you require assistance, please contact your school Principal.鈥
With the suspension of in-class instruction, the Burnaby School District began planning how we could adapt and extend our school-based meal program during these extraordinary times.
Adaption of School-based Meal Program
Principals, teachers, and other staff worked together to identify students in need of immediate help. In addition to those recognized at the school level, our Settlement Workers in Schools also alerted district organizers to families in need.
After sorting out logistics, on April 6 we began distribution of hot nutritious meals to support children who need it. The meals are prepared at Burnaby South Secondary in partnership with Corporate Classics, which normally does the cafeteria food in most of our high schools.
Next the food is driven to schools by our maintenance staff in district vehicles. Then the meals are bagged by school staff on site. People in need pick it up directly at a designated site in shifts, respecting social and physical distancing.
We began at the elementary level with 11 distribution sites for 15 schools 鈥 while it ranges day-to-day, approximately 470 meals were distributed per school day. Building on the success, the District expanded the program on April 16 to include secondary students with additional sites at four secondary schools, bringing the total to nearly 600 meals per school day. .
Posted April, 2020