Feed the Kids Food Truck Fundraiser

The Grande Prairie Catholic District’s Education Foundation serves up over 8800 breakfasts annually. “We feed about 1400 students at St. Clement, St. Patrick, St. Joseph and St. John Bosco schools,” says Executive Director Kari Prichard. Laura LaValley, Executive Director of the Grande Prairie Public District’s Education Foundation, says their program helps about 850 kids daily. Over 1600 fruit or vegetable snacks are served every month at Avondale School alone. “We’ve focused on feeding kids at Avondale and Hillside but we’re looking at creating a district-wide approach to nutrition in the next school year.”

Both Kari and Laura say more students are using the programs due to the economic downturn. “Having this available takes away the stigma of ‘who’s better’. It’s definitely an equalizer,” Kari declares, mentioning one boy who was disappointed he didn’t have money for breakfast like the others. “When his teacher explained it was free, he was so excited to have the same food as everyone else.”

Even kids whose families can afford it don’t always eat a healthy breakfast. Kari says time constraints can cause kids to miss meals. “Some parents leave for work at 5:00 A.M. Kids prepare their own lunches but they’re not getting breakfast.” Some students board their buses early too. For these reasons, meals and snacks are for all, not just those less fortunate.

Teachers tell Laura and Kari the food helps kids stay focused in class. “They’re able to do schoolwork with more attention and accuracy,” Laura notes. Students learn about the importance of healthy eating, have a reason to come to class early and stay longer, and make new friends.

Laura says an event like Feed The Kids is huge: “It not only brings in the funds we need but it also promotes awareness, helping people understand hunger is happening in our community.” Six vendors are taking part: The Bugle Wagon, Eat Your Heart Out, El Norteño, Mötley Qüe, Munchie Patrol, and OMG! Cupcakes. They’ll be set up in front of imageDESIGN and Tangled Bobbin on 100th Avenue between 100th and 101st Streets offering elk burgers, diner classics, hot dogs, Mexican food and more. The Downtown Association is also offering support. The first fundraiser brought in $5350 and imageDESIGN hopes to double that this year. It’s said that it takes a community to raise a child. Let’s be one that nourishes our children too.