The Temiskaming Foundation is proud to announce the launch of the School Nutrition Fund/fond d’alimentation saine pour les élèves. This new endowment fund will invest donations from our community to support nutrition programs in each of the twenty-two schools in the Timiskaming District.
In 2021, the Temiskaming Foundation released its Vital Signs report, which noted the significant issue of food insecurity in our area. Nearly 1 in 4 households with children 4-17 experience food insecurity, more than double Ontario’s rate (2017/2018). The Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, adopted by municipalities in the District of Timiskaming, also stressed the issue of food insecurity, identifying that “food insecurity is not only associated with malnutrition as it relates to insufficient caloric intake but also as it relates to the higher intake of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods, which are often also more affordable.”
Kelly Howard, a child and youth worker at New Liskeard Public School, notes that “School Nutrition programs are currently operating in all of the schools in our district, and are in need of dependable, sustainable funding.” “Such programs include breakfast programs, snack programs, and class initiatives, such as David Craig’s class at TDSS, who plan, shop and cook, providing 30 hots meals per week for students in the school”, advised Trish Desjardins, a teacher at Timiskaming District Secondary School and NLPS.
“School Nutrition programs in our district receive funding from other sources, such as The Red Cross and the Northern Fruit and Vegetable Initiative, as well as community donations, but this funding falls short of the growing need. The School Nutrition Fund/fond d’alimentation saine pour les eleves will provide reliable funding for decades to come”, stated Brigid Wilkinson, Temiskaming Foundation’s Executive Director.
During the month of June, the Temiskaming Foundation will be participating in the Great Canadian Giving Challenge at CanadaHelps. From June 1st to 30th, every $1 donated will enter the Fund for a chance to win one of two $10,000 donations. The fundraising campaign can be found at www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/temiskaming-foundation/school-nutrition-fund.
About the Temiskaming Foundation Founded in 1994, the Temiskaming Foundation (renamed in 2009 to reflect its growing geographic representation), is a local community foundation that accepts donations from hundreds of generous donors, managing an endowment fund and applying the proceeds to supporting local groups from Latchford to Kirkland Lake.
For more information, please contact :
Brigid Wilkinson, Executive Director
The Temiskaming Foundation
Tel: 705-647-1055
Email: ttf@temiskamingfoundation.ca
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