The global pandemic might have closed New Brunswick schools, but the community around Fredericton's Nashwaaksis Elementary has stepped up to make sure the students who counted on meals provided at the school don't go hungry.
Before schools were closed March 13th, students in need were able to grab a bowl of cereal, some fresh fruit or a slice of toastwhen they got to class. And, once a week, the Fredericton North Rotary Club offered a hot breakfast. The Fredericton Community Kitchen provided lunch to those who needed it.
When the school closed, principal Alex Yaychuk took a poll of families to see if they were still looking for help.
"They said they'd like some help. So since the first week schools have been closed, we've been delivering food to those families,' he said.
Every Friday, Yaychuk and his vice-principal and MLA Stephen Horseman collect bags of groceries from the Fredericton Community Kitchen and they make the deliveries to 19 homes in the community.
Once other community partners heard about the efforts, they began making donations as well, he said.
"It's really snowballed into a beautiful community outreach effort for families."
Hundreds of dollars have been donated, he said. The Fredericton North Rotary Club has also been pitching in, running a weekly food drive from a member's garage. Instant Imprints, a business on Brookside Drive, donated $500 for grocery gift cards, and similar donation came in from the Atlantic Superstore on the city's north side, he said.
Some employees from the City of Fredericton 911 dispatch centre collected money and then filled gift bags with pens, pencils, crayons, books, and craft supplies. And members of the Douglas Baptist Church have donated food and school supplies, said Yakchuk.
"Every week, these families, who most days struggle to put food on the table for their children, are now being supplied with all kinds of healthy foods, snacks, fruits, and bread. There's canned goods, and boxed goods. We've had egg donations, cheese donations. Just about everything you'd put on your grocery list," he said.
"It's been one of the few bright spots over the course of the last few months."
Alex Yaychuk
Acting Principal
Nashwaaksis Memorial Elementary
“Be the Best You Can Be”
Twitter: @MemorialNasis
#nashmoreroar
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Service Above Self
Salon F
Fredericton, NB E3C 1A1
Canada