Community Lunch Box: moving forward, meeting goals and following dreams

 

By Susan Hofforth

 

There are four essential components to the success of the Community Lunch Box, and each are building and supporting each other and this community in a way that is very impressive to see.

 

The main goal of the program is to feed children. Their slogan has always been “helping kids learn better on a full stomach,” and the program has been doing just that. In the last school year, they were able to provide children with 45,000 apples, and 43,000 meals. That is 13,000 lunches provided, and 30,000 breakfasts served to students. They have already been up and running this year with volunteers and food co-ordinators on hand from the first day of school, and “we will be there until the last day,” said program coordinator, Tara Baker. The food was set out in bins for the children to help themselves.

 

They have healthy food choices to give to as many children as possible. Something from every food group is available. Available are apples, oranges, carrots, cheese and crackers, cut-up meat, and yoghurt. “It has made a big difference getting day-old muffins and bagels from Tim Hortons to round out the breakfasts for the kids as well.”

 

“The program is inclusive, and that is why it works,” she continued. “It is important for us to help as many kids as we can while they are in the space to be helped. We don’t feed every child, only about 12 per cent, but the food is available to every child. Any kid who is hungrier than normal one day is welcome to come and grab a snack if they want.”

 

Another important component of the Community Lunch Box Program is the recycling program. There are now over 100 bins across Whitecourt for people to put their empty bottles into, as well as four larger bins that are emptied daily. The money from the bottle recycling buys a lot of the food for the program, and it also serves other purposes in the community. It provides volunteer opportunities and part-time meaningful employment opportunities. The recycling makes for a cleaner, greener community.

 

“We are pretty excited about the future,” said Baker. “It’s been about two years since the initial purchase and it is because of everybody’s support that we have reached our goals and now can move on with some of our dreams.”

 

What can you do to help?

 

“We are always looking for more bottles, and more people who are willing to help with that aspect of the program,” Baker said, “since that’s our backbone.” Volunteers are always needed as bottle sorters, and people to do the pick-ups.”

 

There is a bottle drive this weekend, on September 28 and an open house at the CLB Support Centre for people who are interested to come and drop off their bottles, and see how the operation is working. If you would like bottles picked up at any time, leave them at the bottom of your drive and text (780) 778-8252 or email admin@communitylunchbox.ca for pick-up.