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School Lunch Program feeding 1,500 students per da - 10/4/2004
Reprinted with the permission of "The Telegram"
School Lunch Program feeding 1,500 students per day
The Telegram (St. John's)
Monday, October 4, 2004
Page: A8
Section: Metro/Provincial News
More and more hungry bellies are being filled by nutritious hot lunches at elementary schools around St. John's thanks to a program that has blossomed over the last 15 years.
It's hard to imagine that in its inception, the School Lunch Program was only meant to bring a nutritious meal to one school. Now the program feeds 1,500 mouths every day, and the executive director of the program, Gerry Colbert, is ecstatic.
"This is an enormously special program," Colbert says.
"Statistically, it is known that a well-fed child is more conscientious in school, misses less class time and has a higher level of self esteem."
It costs the School Lunch Association about $3 per meal, but families who can't afford that amount are not denied the benefits. The lunch is paid for on a pay-what-you-can basis.
"Many can't afford to pay the full amount, or any amount," Colbert said.
"Last year, the average amount received was $1.22."
So that a child won't feel embarrassed if his family cannot come up with the funds, donations are placed in a brown envelope which is dropped into a box.
No one knows what any other student has paid.
The shortage in funds is made up both by an annual provincial grant for $75,000, and through the tireless fundraising efforts of the School Lunch Association's staff. Last year, the program faced a $50,000 shortfall, but was able to break even thanks to generous donations both from private and corporate sponsors.
Although the program heavily relies on such donations, Colbert credits the work of his staff of 15 above all else for the success of the program.
"You can fundraise all you want, but unless you have employees who passionately believe in what they're doing, its not going to work."
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