How Our Programs Work
Food4Kids Waterloo Region offers 2 types of programs, weekend and school break, to provide nourishment to children who, for many reasons, may live with chronic hunger.
Both of these programs rely on the continued support from our generous community donors.
Weekend Food Program
Plain plastic bags are filled with healthy food items and placed in the child’s backpack on Friday, before the child leaves for home for the weekend. The program is facilitated by volunteers who pack and deliver the bags to the schools, as well as school staff, teachers and Principals who ensure that the child receives the food pack, without stigma. Almost 50% of the children we feed have cultural, dietary or allergy restrictions.
School Break Food Program
When students leave school for the summer, winter and spring breaks, many of them will tell their teachers that they don’t want to be away from school, because at school they know they won’t go hungry. Schools refer children, with limited access, to daily food during the 2 weeks during Winter Break, the 1 week over Spring Break, and the 9 weeks of Summer Break. Volunteers package healthy food such as proteins, whole grains, cereal, dairy, fruit and vegetables. The food is then delivered directly to the family home by pairs of volunteers.