The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington’s Food and Friends Program funds 101 student nutrition programs across Guelph, Wellington and Dufferin.
Many schools are experiencing shortfalls between what funding they get and what they need to sustain themselves for an entire school year.
Seven years ago the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington created the annual Live Free campaign to support school’s fundraising effort to fill the funding gap.
Every dollar raised by the school, stays in the school which is vital for many of the programs in order to continue to keep their cupboards open for the rest of the school year.
However, there are some schools that have a difficult time fundraising when a lot of the kids that access their Food and Friends program do so out of necessity. Additional funds are raised through the campaign with business and individual donations that go to support these schools and general Food and Friends program support.
This year’s Live Free campaign was a success, shattering many records and raising over $50,000. Nineteen schools participated in the Wellington region and four earned bragging rights and an additional $250 reward for outstanding efforts in particular areas.
The most raised overall (per capita) award went to Palmerston Public School, which raised $1,548 by 283 students.
The most improved over last year award also went to Palmerston Public School, which raised $1,327 over last year.
The most raised online (per capita) award went to James McQueen Public School for raising $230 by 283 students which averaged at just under a dollar per student.
The Children’s Foundation choice award went to Elora Public School who got very creative in their asks for donations and raised a total of $1,138.
