Kids Need Food! It’s as simple as that
You arrive at school, ready to take your big math test. You’ve studied hard, prepared as much as possible. But there’s one problem – you’re hungry. Your family didn’t have enough money this week for you to eat breakfast, so you walked into school on an empty stomach.
By the time you’re halfway through your test, the growling in your stomach is distracting you from the fraction you’re working on, and you wonder if your friend beside you can hear it. As you go to double-check your answers, the hunger pains in your stomach keep you hunched over your desk.
The bell rings and you hand in your test. It’s time for lunch, but you won’t be eating that today, either.
Sadly, this is too often the reality for kids in Hamilton. In 2023, Mission Services’ Good Food Centre and East Hamilton Food Centre served 69,879 individuals, with 28,386 of them being children below the age of 18. That 41% number is by far the largest single demographic, and shows that more kids are going hungry than ever before.
“Kids need food, it’s as simple as that,” said Sheryl, Director of Community Services and Outreach. “They need food to succeed, they need food to grow, and they need food to thrive.”
“If children are having to wonder where their next meal is going to come from, they can’t focus on other things, like school, extracurriculars, or even just being a kid.”
That’s the message that Shawn, Mission Services’ Associate Executive Director of Programs, took to Ottawa this spring, being called to testify before a Parliamentary Committee about the impor-tance of ensuring children are getting the food they need.
“Food security programs strengthen families, promote healthier lifestyles, and contribute to the social and economic well-being of the entire community,” he said.
Mission Services’ Good Food Centre is based in Hamilton’s Ward 3, one of the most economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the city. For nearly 70 years, we have had a leading role in ensuring that our neighbours have somewhere to turn when they are hungry.
“We know this community, and we want to see this community succeed,” said Sheryl. “That’s why we’ve also started several kid-centred programs as well, ensuring that we’re setting kids up for success at the ground level.”
Those programs include a youth after-school meal program, a summer camp lunch program, as well as cooking and gardening classes and homework help.
“These programs are tailored for students in grades 6 to 9, with our goal being to empower young people while recognizing the important connections between hunger and learning,” Shawn said.
“Each one of our students, who had to navigate challenging circumstances, graduated from grade 8 with either honours, a scholarship, or an award. Consistent access to nutritious food supports their physical growth, cognitive development, and academic performance.”
While the youth programs receive some external funding, the Good Food Centre is unfunded, meaning that it relies entirely on the generosity of donors and supporters to ensure that kids can get the nutritious food they need to succeed, both in school, and in life itself. With your support, we can ensure that over 28,000 children in Hamilton won’t have to deal with the distraction and detriment of having to go to school hungry.
“We support individuals navigating some of the most challenging circumstances they may ever face,” Shawn said.
“Together we can take steps to ensure that everyone in our community has access to the nutritious, healthy food that they need to thrive.”
You can help make a difference in kids’ lives and ensure that they get the nutritious food they need. Donate online or call 905-528-4211 ext 3113 to help set kids up for success.
