WCPS directs nutrition grant to support Food Banks, students and community

Schools across Wolf Creek Public Schools (WCPS) are doing what they can to help boost local Food Banks and organizations finding greater need through the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As in-school classes have been cancelled, and learning continues for students in an at-home setting, the Government of Alberta is allowing school divisions to use the nutrition grant that would traditionally be allocated to providing meals to students in schools and redirect it to help students and families in their communities. 

WCPS has donated funds to all the local food banks that serve its students and families, including the four nations across Maskwacis (Ermineskin Cree Nation, Louis Bull Tribe, Montana First Nation, and Samson Cree Nation). Funds have also been directed to the Ponoka Youth Centre to support the Backpack Nutrition Program, to Lacombe Big Brothers Big Sisters that started a Hot Lunch Porch Program to provide nutritious meals to WCPS students and families, especially those living in rural areas. 

Some WCPS schools are making frozen meals for their families and arranging pick-up at the school, while other schools are working with the local Food Bank and are providing food hampers for families upon request.

An emergency fund is also available to support families in immediate need of grocery vouchers. School administrators, school social workers and school staff continue to work together to identify these families.

“It is important to find ways to continue supporting nutrition programs for our students and families traditionally done so through the nutrition grant,” said Ian Wilson, WCPS Safety and Wellness Coordinator. 

“Providing this on-going support for programs and services is a tremendous outreach to our students and the community. We are thankful for all the tremendous efforts by these partners in promoting food security.”