Three Wellington County schools have received additional funding for their Food and Friends program due to their fundraising efforts earlier this year.
From January to March, student nutrition programs receiving funding through the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington’s Food and Friends program participated in the Live Free Campaign and reached out to their communities for support.
Every dollar raised by each program stays in the school, supporting the longevity of the program.
Communities and local businesses were invited to step forward and get involved in the student nutrition programs in their own neighbourhoods and positively influence the future of their communities by investing in the health and wellness of local children and youth.
This year Minto-Clifford Public School was the most improved program, raising $2,991 more than in 2016 and the school raised the most funds per capita, with 393 students raising $4,928.
St. John Catholic School in Arthur raised the most funds through online donations ($290) and J.D. Hogarth Public School in Fergus earned the strongest spirit award, hosting a lunch with the mayor and building a roller-coaster toonie tracker.
Each of the three schools received an additional $250 for their top performances.
Food and Friends supports 107 student nutrition programs in Dufferin, Wellington and Guelph.
In Wellington 20 student nutrition programs took part, raising $16,640, contributing to the $80,986 raised between Dufferin, Wellington and Guelph.
Student nutrition programs offer children nutritious food through breakfast, morning meal, lunch and snack programs in a safe and convenient environment to ensure they have the energy they need to focus on their school work, officials say.
With the help of dedicated program coordinators and volunteers, Food and Friends is bringing healthy food to hungry minds for over 15,000 local students.
“The foundation extends its sincere thanks and congratulations to all staff, students, parents, volunteers and community members who took part in this year’s Live Free Campaign to help local kids live free from hunger,” organizers state.
