Feeding Kids Beyond The School Week
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.
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.
Numbers reflect our fiscal year, September 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021.
Schools
Hampers
meals
Lives Affected
“Food security is a growing problem, and students look forward to receiving their bags weekly. Families are appreciative as well, knowing that kids have access to food. We have excellent lines of communication with families, and they reach out when they need additional supports. But we also use the program as a gauge to see which families may need more. At the end of the day, it’s about ensuring that kids can be successful and engaged in learning. Hungry kids don’t learn, so thanks partly to the Calgary Food Bank, we can provide that support.”
Ms. Payal Tuli, Principal at Banting and Best School
How You Can Help
Donate Food
Help create a healthy meal by donating our most needed items.
Donate Funds
Donate funds securely online, by mail or in person.
Volunteer
Donate your time. Volunteers are our lifeblood.
Host an event
Get creative and engage your community, host a fundraiser.