April 24 – Although schools are closed for in-class instruction, Delta School District is helping to ensure students continue to have access to food by providing 125 families with food hampers each week. This is the fourth week that the district has provided food for local families. To date, 370 hampers have been distributed in North Delta and 125 hampers distributed in Ladner and Tsawwassen.
“Many people within the district including Child and Youth Care Workers (CYCWs), Principals, Vice Principals, Education Assistants (EAs), Teachers, Counsellors and other district staff are an integral and essential part of our food security program, and are working hard to ensure the needs of families experiencing vulnerability at this difficult time are met,” said Doug Sheppard, Superintendent of Schools. “We are reaching out to families weekly to determine what support they need. Not surprisingly, we are seeing that need increase across our community with each week that passes.”
District CYCWs are shopping, picking up food donations from various organizations, packing hampers and then distributing them to families in need. In addition, other district staff are finding innovative ways to help. For example, teaching chefs and kitchen staff at various secondary schools are creating frozen meals for vulnerable families in the community.
Delta School District extends its thanks for the grants it has received to date from Vancouver Sun Adopt A School ($15,000), Breakfast Club of Canada ($15,000) and United Way ($25,000) in support of its food security program.
“We are so grateful to our local community as it has provided invaluable support. Many thanks to the City of Delta for providing networking and grant application support, and to Deltassist for helping to identify families in need and providing community support,” said Superintendent Sheppard. “In addition, we have received many donations of gift cards, food, hampers and financial contributions from several individuals, school PACs and local organizations, all of which are invaluable to families in need in our district. Thank you!”
Organizations donating to students and families through Delta School District include:
- City Dreams Centre
- Delta Firefighters
- East End Boys Club
- Felix Farms
- Guru Nanak Sikh Temple
- Monte Cristo Bakery
- Neutron Factory Works
- Save On Foods Nordel
- Save On Foods Tsawwassen
- South Delta Food Bank
- Yo Bro/Yo Girl Youth Foundation
-30-
Many thanks to the Delta School District staff involved in managing and delivering the food security program. This team includes staff from Learning Services – Inclusive Learning, teaching chefs and kitchen staff, custodians, and other support staff members.
