John Barsby Secondary School students will be among the beneficiaries after Mosaic Forest Management donated $25,000 to five Vancouver Island schools for meal programs.
The south-end Nanaimo school’s allotment will go toward its food security program, according to a press release, as the COVID-19 pandemic has led to “set scheduling requirements” for students. This, in turn, is leading to new “structural barriers to accessing meal programs,” it said. The money will allow vulnerable students to receive nutritious meals in their classroom via a student-run meal program.
School staff were grateful for the donation.
“Mosaic’s donation offers us the financial stability to provide a much-needed food program that kids can rely on,” said Holly Knox, teacher and food security program coordinator, in the press release. “The need for inclusive access to nutritious food has never been greater, and we are deeply grateful to know that, with this funding, we will be able to support our food program and our students through the year.”
In the press release, Domenico Iannidinardo, Mosaic Forest Management’s vice-president and chief forester, said the company has a long history of supporting communities near its working forests and is confident its donation will contribute in the battle against child hunger on the Island.
“Schools are increasingly working hard to support students beyond their basic academic needs, and supporting this established school-led program will have a lasting influence in the daily lives of kids that just want to focus on learning,” Iannidinardo said.
John Barsby Secondary School applied for the money through Vancouver Sun Children’s Fund Adopt-a-School program.
READ ALSO: SD68 forecasts enrolment rebounding from COVID-19