WHAT WE DO

Weekends and More

Making sure kids get the nutritious food they need on the weekends to stay healthy and learning.

Weekends and more program

Feeding kids beyond the school week

When hundreds of students in Calgary were identified as chronically hungry, the Calgary Board of Education school-based partnership, Weekends and More, was created. Since 2014, students have received nutritious food hampers containing two to three days’ worth of food that discreetly fits into a backpack.This program works to help alleviate hunger and the stigma of food insecurity in our students. By providing Weekends and More hampers to participating schools, staff and teachers can support students who are struggling with access to nutritious food on weekends. These hampers contain easy to prepare meals to meet the needs of students who would otherwise go without food when they are away from school meal programs.

Food insecurity can have lasting and devastating effects, especially on younger populations. Chronic hunger leads to attention problems, poor grades, chronic health conditions, nutrient deficiencies, and even depression. Feeding students has a positive impact on their academics, social interactions, and health, and Weekends and More ensures that hunger is not a barrier to learning.

Weekends and More hampers are a catalyst for students and staff to have a conversation about life at home to help identify the root cause of their food insecurity. Reasons can be simple as a family not being aware a food bank or other services exist. Connecting the entire family to other community supports is positive for everyone.

Weekends and more program

What’s in a hamper?

All hampers include two to three days’ worth of mostly shelf stable, easy to prepare and ready to eat items. Food items come from an approved list created with the help of Alberta Health Services nutritionists.

Included are two of each item: dairy, protein, grain, fruit, and vegetables, and one apple.

Did You know?

Fast Facts

Numbers reflect our fiscal year, September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2020.

Schools

Hampers

meals

Lives Affected

“This program has helped students and their family greatly throughout the year. They know that they have food for the weekend, and this helps to alleviate anxiety, and allows them to stay focused on their learning, and being kids.”

Calgary Board of Education Teacher