Donation benefits meal program
A donation of a commercial dishwasher has made the difference between Georgia Avenue Elementary School serving cold or hot meals to students.
The lunch and snack program supports more than half of the school’s population and generally serves meals to 150-175 students per day – at certain times of the year this number is even higher.
Georgia Avenue has all the other equipment to serve hot meals, including fridges, a freezer, a stove and a regular dishwasher, but without a commercial dishwasher, donated by Van Roc Interiors, Oceanside Rotary and Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation, it was not able to offer hot meals due to health guidelines for food safety.
Any establishment serving hot meals to groups must have a commercial dishwasher on site to properly sterilize the equipment. The fully refurbished model costs $3,500 and was installed by school staff.
“We have seen a steady increase in demand over the four years that I have been at Georgia Avenue,” said principal Shelley Green. “We realize that this is the main meal of the day for the majority of our students.
“This has prompted many conversations about our menu and having the ability to provide a hot lunch on a consistent and regular basis. The dishwasher donation has given us the ability to do that.”
Fred Kolodrubsky of Oceanside Rotary said the service club is committed to helping vulnerable youth in the community.
“The dishwasher is the final piece necessary to assure an ongoing food program at Georgia Avenue School.”
There are many other schools in Nanaimo school district in need of equipment to help improve the quality of life of students.
Anyone interested in donating to the foundation is asked to please visit www.nlsf.ca or call 250-753-4074.
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