Volunteers are busy compiling much-needed hampers for the NLSF meals program destined for students learning at home due to COVID-19. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

student meals

Meal program re-tooled for Nanaimo-area students learning at home

Apr 7, 2020 | 7:08 AM

NANAIMO — Feeding hungry students trying to learn at home instead of school is a priority for the re-launched Nanaimo Ladysmith Schools Foundation meals program.

A sorting depot at John Barsby Secondary School is now home base for the Food 4 Schools program. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the program had breakfast, lunch and snacks delivered to 16 District 68 schools to benefit 600 students.

Foundation executive director Crystal Dennison said the program will now be even more important to families.

“I’m really hoping this service is going to take pressure off the families that are struggling,” Dennison said. “We have enough to be concerned about rather than students being hungry. It’s one really tangible difference that we can make.”

The first batch of hampers filled with the same amount of food as before were delivered directly to 40 homes on Friday, April 3. An additional 200 households are slated to receive their hampers by Wednesday, April 8.

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Dennison said the foundation faces two main challenges in meeting demand: money to buy food not available through donations, and health precautions from the COVID-19 crisis.

“We are in a testing mode right now where we’re working out how exactly this is going to work to provide these hampers to the families that need them the most.”

She said the program is building slowly in order to provide a safe environment for their volunteers. In the future, the program could change to a pick-up model at District 68 schools.

School staff are now connecting with the families who used the popular meal program to determine their current nutritional needs.

Monetary donations to the Nanaimo Ladysmith Schools Foundation meals program can be made here.

Alternatively, direct deposit via e-transfer can be made at food4schools@nlsf.ca

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes