Fighting child hunger one lunch box at a time

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Child Hunger Brantford has been delivering meals to elementary school children experiencing food insecurity in Brantford since 2013, when it launched the Kids Lunch Club program.

The charitable organization implemented the program to align with their mission of supporting children and their families through education and nutritional programming that nurtures their potential.

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“According to a recent report by the Conference Board of Canada, there are approximately two million people in the country that experience food insecurity, and nearly half of those are school-aged children,” says Dawn Hall, who co-founded the program.

“Food insecurity has many impacts on children, negatively influencing their growth, health, academic achievements, social and behavioural skills.”

Since its launch, Child Hunger Brantford expanded its program from one to seven elementary schools, including Christ the King, Major Ballachey, Agnes G. Hodge, Holy Cross, Graham Bell-Victoria, Bellview and Centennial-Grand Woodlands, but the pandemic proved to be the organization’s biggest challenge yet.

“To continue our mission and follow all of the provincial guidelines, the board of directors implemented a new program called the Lockdown Lunch Box,” Hall says.

“The new program includes adequate food for the week in each box as well as instructions on how to assemble the meals. The free food boxes are delivered every Monday directly to each child’s home.”

Even though Child Hunger Brantford had to lower the number of schools it served during COVID-19, it still provided 8,750 meals to hungry children in 2020 and is gearing back up to reach its full potential.

Currently, the board of directors is creating a strategic plan to return to and expand the Kids Lunch Club and Lockdown Lunch Box programs.

“The plan for Child Hunger Brantford is to continue the weekly delivery of lunch boxes over the summer and see kids in our community thriving even when school is out, but the expansion of schools will require a building in a central location,” Hall explains.

“Currently, our biggest struggle is space. Child Hunger Brantford is in desperate need of office space, a commercial kitchen, programming and garden space that’s in a central location, accessible to members of our community, but with tight budgets and limited funding this presents a difficult challenge.”

The not-for-profit charity is also hoping to expand their team of volunteers and host several community fundraising events to help with budgeting, and fill hungry bellies.

“Needs are increasing and more schools are contacting us, but without the proper funding and support we’re unable to expand,” says Hall.

For more information, to volunteer or to donate call 519-209-5450, email childhungerbrantford@gmail.com or visit childhungerbrantford.ca.