The Blessings to You Centre in Palmerston recently made a huge contribution to local children and youth, as donating $10,000 to the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington’s Food and Friends and Free to Play programs.
Also, $2,000 will each be directed to Palmerston Public School, Minto Clifford Public School and Norwell District Secondary School’s morning meal programs.
“Our 107 Food and Friends programs allow all students to start their school day with a healthy meal or snack, to help improve their capacity for learning. Our programs are universally accessible to everyone so that there is never a stigma attached to receiving the food at school,” says Bobbi Turner, student nutrition program manager with the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington’s Food and Friends program.
Blessings also made a $4,000 donation to the Children’s Foundation Free to Play program which provides funding for children and youth of low-income families, so that they have the opportunity to participate in Sports, summer camps, music or art lessons.
Turner states, “We know that recreational activities provide opportunities for social interaction early on in life which positively impact healthy child development. Participating in these activities does more than help children and youth become more physically active, it also helps children develop emotionally – fostering self-confidence, teamwork and leadership skills.
“We are so grateful to all the volunteers at Blessings to You for these very generous donations to our much needed programs.
“This funding will help to ensure the sustainability of our Food and Friends and Free to Play programs within Minto. Together, we are helping to build brighter futures.”
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School donation – From left: Palmerston Public School Morning Meal Program coordinator Julia Laird, Blessings to You Centre volunteers Jean Vanderkooy, Tinie Versteeg and Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington’s Food and Friends Student Nutrition Program manager Bobbi Turner display a $2,000 cheque for the school from the centre. Photos by Caroline Sealey |
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Breakfast benefits – Norwell District Secondary School Breakfast Program coordinator Russell Schneider accepts a cheque from Blessings to You Centre volunteers Doris Weshar and Jean Vanderkooy and Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington’s Food and Friends Student Nutrition Program manager Bobbi Turner. |
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Minto Clifford Public School Morning Meal Program Coordinator Stacey Jennings accepts a donation from Blessings to You Centre volunteers Deanna Martin and Jean Vanderkooy, Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington’s Food and Friends Student Nutrition Program manager Bobbi Turner and Blessings to You Centre volunteer Linda Wright. Absent from photo was Minto Clifford Public School Morning Meal Program coordinator Holly Matthews. |
