How We Started
Food for Thought is a non-profit program that provides food for hungry school children. The program began in 2002 after Carol and Bernie Kowalchuk read in the newspaper that the neediest schools in Edmonton receive funding for school-wide lunch programs, but that children in other schools went hungry. "How can kids learn if they're hungry?" the Kowalchuks asked themselves. They deci
ded to do something about it. They and their friends began funding hot lunches for needy students at Sifton elementary school. Today, the program has grown to cover 13 schools and provides breakfast, lunch and/or snacks to approximately 450 children every day. In many cases, these schools are fully funded by a single corporate sponsor. Many of the schools are located within neighbourhoods and school districts with average and high-income households. Hunger is not a localized problem. How it Works
Unlike the publicly funded lunch programs in other schools, Food for Thought concentrates only on children in need. The principal and teachers in each school identify students who have had no breakfast or bring little or no lunch. These children eat together in a separate room to avoid being singled out by schoolmates as being part of the program. Money is raised by the Kowalchuks and a number of other supporters. This money is then used to purchase healthy food and snacks at a discounted price at the Italian Centre Shop. TouteSuite delivery service picks up the food and delivers it to the schools every other week, again at a subsidized rate. School staff, students, parents and volunteers set up and clean up every day. The raised funds are used for providing food for the students. Administrative costs are absorbed by the supporters and by Edmonton Public Schools. Who’s Involved
Individual and corporate sponsors, a volunteer board, Edmonton Public Schools, the Italian Centre Shop and TouteSuite are all instrumental in the success of the Food for Thought program, as are many parents and school staff. They contribute many hours and much energy to ensure that Edmonton school children have full stomachs . . . and are able to learn. Our Partners
Edmonton Public Schools
Italian Centre Shop
TouteSuite Deliver Service
Feedback
"A student came into my office this morning, holding his stomach. He said, 'I don't feel very good.' I thought I would be calling for a wet cleanup on aisle 7 at any moment, but thought to ask first if he had had any breakfast today. He said no, he hadn't. We went back to the kitchen and made him a double-header of the oatmeal we got in a recent shipment, and he went away feeling ever so much better. This morning’s small event is just one of dozens of stories we could share with you about the value of the gift your two companies have helped to provide for our students." – Principal of Sherwood School. Bernie Kowalchuk passed away in 2010 after a courageous battle with cancer. Bernie will be remembered by friends and family for his generosity, kindness and positive attitude. His vision was for Food for Thought to continue to grow and the family - Carol, Kristine and Kelly - are determined to see this happen. How You Can Help
The best way you can help is through a financial donation. Donate as an individual or as a group. 100% of donated funds are used to provide food for the students. Individual donations of $25.00 or more are eligible for a tax receipt. To donate, please make a cheque payable to:
Edmonton Public Schools and put Food for Thought in the memo line. "Food for Thought"
c/o Edmonton Public Schools
Attention: Colleen Scobling
Centre for Education
1 Kingsway Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5H 4G9
