“In order for students to be successful, first they need their basic needs met,” says Lori Varrasso.

Those basic needs include regular meals, which many students don’t always get.

Varrasso, a Student Success Teacher at Cathedral High School, says hunger can contribute to a myriad of health and behavioural issues, a lack of engagement and poor performance at school. School nutrition programs ensure that students receive meals throughout the school day, but weekends can leave a void.

Food4Kids Hamilton’s high school initiative is there to help. Every week, Food4Kids Hamilton provides a weekend supply of food to 89 secondary school students in six Hamilton area secondary schools.

“It’s a unique program that is filling a gap that existed and giving students access to some nutritious food,” says Varrasso.

To learn more about the high school initiative, please see the video at https://www.food4kidshamilton.ca/highschoo ... .

Food4Kids Hamilton is 100% funded through donations, community fundraisers and one-time grants. To donate, please visit Food4Kids Hamilton.