By Patrick Burles - @PatrickBurles on Twitter

Back to School Program to Make Sure Kids Don’t go to School Hungry

Aug 17, 2016 | 9:54 AM

LETHBRIDGE – The Interfaith Food Bank is asking for your help to make sure kids aren’t going back to school hungry.

The most in-demand items are lunch kits, followed by healthy snacks like granola bars, fruit cups, juice boxes and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Interfaith Executive Director, Danielle McIntyre, explained that they’ve been working with schools and various agencies on the program since 2013, and that preparing a child for school goes beyond ensuring they have a binder and pencils.

“Kids have to be ready and in the right frame of mind to learn when they’re at school, and half of that is making sure they’ve got a full belly,” stated McIntyre. “Then they’re not thinking about being hungry, instead of thinking about what they’re supposed to be learning in class.”

McIntyre pointed out that they have committed to providing 1100 children with lunch kits, and went on to discuss why that number is so high.

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“Families struggle at back to school time. You have to purchase all these extra things that you don’t normally buy through the year, and kids really do need to fit in with the other kids when they go to school, too. On top of having the right tools to learn, they don’t want to be ostracized because they don’t have the things that they need, that the other children do have.”

In addition to making a donation on your own, McIntyre noted that your business, club or organization can help collect supplies by becoming a drop off location. To get involved or for more information, you can stop by the Interfaith Food Bank at 1103 3 Ave North, call them at 403-320-8779, or visit their website.