With inflation and rising food costs continuing to be an issue in the Lower Mainland, 性视界传媒 schools are facing budgeting pressures for meal programs that help feed an increasing number of students from low-income backgrounds.

The district鈥檚 meal programs provide breakfast and lunch to students who need them. Typically, these consist of nutritious, well-balanced food options and beverages, offered to both elementary and secondary students.

On Aug. 29, those programs got a significant boost, with the announcement that 性视界传媒 schools will receive nearly $8 million in funding from the province to help cover costs.

B.C. government鈥檚 one-time funding announcement could not have come at a better time, said Ritinder Matthew, associate director of communication services for 性视界传媒 Schools, noting the school district is dealing with 鈥渟ignificant budget pressures due to inflation, including the rising cost of food.鈥�

鈥淩esearch has proven that children need enough good food to learn,鈥� Julie Stephenson, manager of Food and Nutrition Services with the district noted in a 性视界传媒 Schools release last spring.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really important to their learning to let them concentrate and move ahead in their schoolwork rather than focusing on feeling crabby or hungry.鈥�

Of the $60 million provided in a one-time funding to school districts across B.C., 性视界传媒, the largest district in the province, is receiving the biggest share 鈥� $7.385 million.

鈥淥ur board is very pleased with this announcement. We have continued to advocate for our most vulnerable students and their families,鈥� Laurie Larsen, chair of the 性视界传媒 Board of Education notes.

鈥淭his funding will support our breakfast and lunch program as well as support families facing financial barriers for school supplies and school and extracurricular activities. Our goal is to ensure that every student is supported and able to fully participate in school.鈥�

More than 2,000 性视界传媒 students currently rely on the breakfast and lunch programs. The new funding will allow the district to continue to provide meals for children and youth who are already part of the program, while also providing for any incoming students, with the start of the new school year.

Because of strict budgeting due to inflation, the school district relies heavily on donors and the Ministry of Education to help fulfill the need.

Many donors also increased their donations to the district during the last school year, so that rising food costs did not affect students鈥� access to the meal programs.

In addition 鈥� according to the 性视界传媒 Schools website 鈥� parents pay $1 a month, or as much as they can, to help fund the meal programs offered to their children.

Last school year, the district served breakfast at 60 schools, and lunch at 34, through the meal programs. This year, 69 schools will provide breakfast and 32 will provide lunch, but the district is looking to 鈥渋ncrease capacity鈥� soon with the support of donors, Matthew said.

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