Addressing child hunger is a top priority for the Rotary Club of Kamloops.
Image Credit: SOURCE/Stuart Miles, FreeDigitalPhotos.net
May 16, 2013 - 1:25 PM
With six dinners already providing more than 700 meals to children and their families – the Rotary Club of Kamloops is glad to have approval to continue the program.
The club partnered with the food bank and School District 73 to host the meals in the NorKam Secondary School cafeteria as part of a pilot project back in February and following the success of the program the district agreed this week to allow the program to continue.
Club president Christopher Seguin is pleased the program is accomplishing the goal of feeding children and the “amazing, wonderful environment” it has created for the community.
“It isn't just food - they socialize, there's door prizes, games, activities and networking. The volunteers who help prepare the food actually eat with the participants. The program meets both the food and social needs of participants.”
Over 75 per cent of participants are children, ranging in age from two to 17 years old and at times three generations of families will sit down for a meal together at the school. The kids will often take part in games as the parents hang out, relax and network, Seguin says.
Seguin says the club is now looking to partner with other organizations to help host the meals. Seguin says they are hoping to model their program after the PIT Stop program run through the Kamloops United Church. That program partners with several organizations to provide a free weekly supper to persons in need year-round.
Meals will be provided once per month from May through August and then will return to twice per month once the school year starts again. The board agreed to the schedule and will revisit the agreement every six months. Meals are available for anyone under 17 years old and families with children. The rotary and the district are figuring out dates for upcoming meals.
The program is also looking for more volunteers. Anyone who wishes to partner or volunteer should email kamloopshunger@hotmail.com.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013