The United Way of Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent is once again handing out fresh fruit, veggies and non-perishable food to families in need as part of its Summer Eats for Kids program.
United Way teams up with volunteers at the pop-up food banks and disperse food items and books to children and families two times a week at three sites on both Tuesday and Thursday over the course of the summer.
“We know these families in these areas really are facing food insecurity,” said Rachel Meeke, the relationship manager of corporate at United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent. “And when the schools are closed, there's no nutrition programs running, so we're able to provide for not just the children and youth, but to their entire families over the summer months.”
Representatives from St. Clair College, along with the Student Representative Council and Saints Student Athletic Association helped distribute 150 bags of groceries on Tuesday, July 16.
“St. Clair has been supporting this program for the last several years and every year, they're able to come out, the SRC and their Athletic Association, along with some of the staff to come and help distribute the groceries,” said Meeke, who noted the concept helps bring food to communities most in need in their own neighbourhood.
“Transportation is a big barrier for these families as well, so hosting it at the school sites that they're comfortable and familiar with really makes it easy for them to come and access the food that they need when they need it,” said Meeke.
The Summer Eats for Kids program is fully donor-funded, with all monies raised going toward purchasing groceries.
“We're really grateful to St. Clair for being part of it once again,” said Meeke.
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Pick-Up Locations
July 9 to Aug. 22, 2024
Tuesdays | 11 AM - 1 PM
General Brock Public School
Prince Edward Public School
St. Louis Catholic School
Thursdays | 11 AM - 1 PM
Frank W. Begley Public School
Dougall Avenue Public School
West Gate Public School