Started in 2013-2014, the GLH Breakfast program entered into its eighth year under very different circumstances than ever before. Pre-packaged, Covid-compliant foods and avoiding any group interactions has been the name of the game in 2020-2021. Sadly, no student volunteers are permitted due to restrictions. This has been, however, the exception rather than the rule. Over the years, generous donations from the community, local businesses, safe grad committees, parent advisory council and grants have allowed for an experience that brought students together and enriched the school community. Student and staff volunteers have played important roles in shopping, preparing and cleaning. Generous grants and divisional labour have transformed the school canteen. This simple but successful program, running generally Wednesdays and Fridays, has been a low-key highlight for the school. It’s generally a program that stays out of the spotlight but perhaps deserves a moment of recognition.
The goals of the program have been fairly simple. Serving healthy foods, the breakfast program was a recognition of the important role nutrition plays in the learning experience. Statistics tend to vary somewhat based on study, but some estimates suggest that between one in six or one in eight students in Canada under the age of 18 are impacted by food insecurity. Although there is obviously variation between communities, there was no doubt some level of need present for our own local population. A hungry stomach can be a disruption to an inquisitive mind. A child cannot be expected to learn to their full potential if their basic needs are not met. With these ideas in mind, no criteria were given to attend. The expectations for who will attend remains the same today as they were at the program’s inception. Whether a student attended due to an empty cupboard at home or simply because they had chosen 15 more minutes of sleep over preparing breakfast, all were welcome.
An emphasis was placed on shopping locally and incorporating as many fresh fruits and vegetables as possible along with other food groups. Allowing students to try new or novel fruits and vegetables was one element of the program. Some were received with surprising success while others not so much. When not serving its regular fare, the program occasionally provided memorable meals such as “Waffle Wednesday” or a school community hot meal to begin the morning. When financing permitted, GLH held fair-trade weeks which incorporated social-justice material for that week. Other events have incorporated sponsored items from groups such as the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba. Each week brought together students from different social groups and grades to share a meal before Period 1 began.
Unfortunately, this community experience has not been possible during this school year. We’ve seen so many different challenges and restrictions during this pandemic and this is but one more obstacle to face. So, the breakfast program adapted by becoming a multiroom delivery program that sends out individually pre-packaged items into Period 1 classes. Gone are the days of freshly made waffles or sausages, but food is still provided within the guidelines of current restrictions. We look forward to the day when these restrictions are lifted and the experience can once again be shared in a group setting.
The continued longevity of this program has been a testament to the generosity of our local community. Each year, groups have stepped up and contributed to ensuring the program was capable of financially operating. Although there have been many who have contributed, it would be inappropriate not to stop and acknowledge the work of one individual in particular for the day-to-day running of the program. Mrs. Brenda Neufeld, in particular, has put in time weekly to make the program possible. Sometimes accompanied by student volunteers or sometimes assisted by fellow staff, over the years Mrs. Neufeld has taken on greater and greater responsibilities in serving a healthy, balanced program. Our student council treasurers have also yearly taken on the task of supporting our financial accountability with their assistance in paying bills and maintaining grant records.
In closing, thank you to all who have made the past eight years possible. We look forward to the future with optimism and plans for a return to normalcy when the world allows. We extend our appreciation for those that have supported the program.