Prince George Secondary Launches Food Program to Combat Hunger

At Prince George Secondary School, a new initiative aims to address food insecurity among students and their families. Principal Randy Halpape has recognized the growing challenges many families face in providing adequate meals, particularly as the cost of living continues to rise. “Some families are finding it harder and harder as the cost of living goes up,” Halpape stated. “They have less money to go around.”

To combat this issue, Halpape and Maria Turay from the Prince George school district have developed a program designed to send food home with students, ensuring they have access to meals even outside school hours. “We understand that some students often leave school for the day wondering when their next meal will be,” Turay explained. The program aims to fill the gap that exists after school, particularly over weekends and holidays.

Meal Kits to Support Families

The initiative will provide food kits containing ingredients for simple and nutritious meals. These kits will be distributed at the end of the school day, offering families the means to prepare meals together. “The meals will be simple yet nutritious and easy for most high school students and caregivers to make themselves,” said Turay. The goal is not only to alleviate immediate hunger but to empower students with cooking skills they can use in the future.

Turay emphasized that the program aims to offer more than just recipes; it will include budget-friendly meal options with detailed instructions to help families prepare cost-effective meals. “We want to factor in budget-friendly meals and give instructions that are more than just a recipe so kids and parents can cook a cost-effective meal and replicate it in the future,” she noted.

To fund this initiative, the school is seeking $25,000 from the Vancouver Sun Children’s Fund, which administers the Adopt-A-School campaign. The funds will support the purchase of food kits, in-school snacks, and basic necessities for students in need. The program aims to provide approximately 125 meal kits each month to families facing food insecurity.

Addressing the Community’s Needs

Many families requiring additional food support reside in rural areas, making access to supermarkets challenging. This geographical barrier complicates the provision of grocery cards. As a result, food supplies will be delivered directly to the school for distribution, a model that recognizes the unique needs of the community. Halpape pointed out that food prices in the region are higher than in urban centers, further straining family budgets.

In light of recent economic shifts, Halpape noted that the loss of higher-paying jobs in traditional industries like forestry has compounded the difficulties many families face. “The need is there for families. And our goal is to support them,” he affirmed.

Since its inception in 2011, the Vancouver Sun Children’s Fund has raised over $15.1 million to alleviate the impacts of child poverty across Canada. The fund has facilitated the distribution of meals and essential supplies to schools, ensuring students have the resources they need to thrive. This fall, the Adopt-A-School campaign received 164 requests from schools, totaling $1.5 million, demonstrating the urgent need for support in various communities.

As the program at Prince George Secondary unfolds, it aims to not only provide immediate food relief but also to foster a sense of community and resilience among families. For those interested in supporting this initiative, donations can be made online or by phone to the Vancouver Sun Children’s Fund.