Demand for Sault student lunch program spikes
St. Vincent Place in Sault Ste. Marie is again offering its 'Lunches for Learning' program, with the aim of helping parents provide children with lunches when they return to school.
The program began last year, and St. Vincent Place's fundraising coordinator said interest has increased considerably.
"Last year, we generally helped about 35 families per week with the program," said Sara McCleary. "This year, we've actually already had more than 100 families reach out, wanting to register. It's been absolutely outrageous the number of families who are in need of help this year."
Last year, parents signed up to receive a package of typical school lunch items, including fresh produce, bread, cheese and juice boxes, and it was picked up on a weekly basis. However, McCleary said that may change this year.
"It's definitely going to be tight," she said. "We are going to have to reduce the size of the packages to meet the demand. And then also what we're going to do instead of providing weekly packages, we'll divide up all the families into two groups and everyone will get a package every other week. That way we can help the greatest number of people."
Nat Cicchelli, executive director of St. Vincent Place, said the number of people accessing services is steadily increasing.
"We've been really busy with our food bank and soup kitchen -- those numbers have increased in the last few months and continue to go up," Cicchelli said, adding that they have been able to reopen the thrift store.
McCleary suggested the reason for the spike in demand for Lunches For Learning is job losses or reduction in hours among part-time workers, likely brought on by the pandemic.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Person engulfed in flames outside N.Y. courthouse where Trump trial underway, says CNN
A person was covered in flames outside the New York courthouse where former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial is underway, CNN reported on Friday.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.