Angie Cullingworth used to have a supply of granola bars and protein shakes to help students during reading lessons. “That was how I could motivate them to work,” Cullingworth shared during an interview with CBC Radio’s Saskatoon Morning, recalling her time volunteering at a Saskatoon elementary school. She noticed that many students were arriving at school hungry, prompting her to co-establish the FoodBridge Alliance in 2022. This charity in Saskatoon gathers surplus food from businesses and creates hampers for families at Vincent Massey and Saint Edwards elementary schools.
The FoodBridge Alliance rescues food that would otherwise be wasted, filling the nutrition gaps beyond school hours and addressing local food waste issues. A lack of consistent access to meals can hinder children’s academic progress and classroom performance, according to a study from Toronto.
“Being hungry makes it really difficult to concentrate,” Cullingworth emphasized. “We’re expecting young children to learn math and reading when they are hungry, which is a tough challenge.”
Since its inception, the FoodBridge Alliance has observed improved attendance, enhanced classroom performance, and increased parental involvement at Vincent Massey and Saint Edwards schools. Families can opt to receive hampers weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, tailored to their specific household requirements.
Rather than relying on traditional food drives, the charity collaborates with Second Harvest, a national food rescue network, to source supplies from local grocery stores, restaurants, and caterers with excess inventory. Previously discarded food items are now repurposed, preventing them from ending up in landfills.
Cullingworth mentioned that the group currently delivers hampers using personal vehicles but is seeking donations for a cargo van and a larger warehouse to expand their reach. The ultimate goal is to serve all schools in the city and divert even more food from being wasted.
At the Riversdale Community Fridge, volunteers witness the daily impact of food insecurity on the streets. Renata Ćosić, co-founder of the Riversdale Community Fridge, noted that the fridge is quickly emptied after restocking due to increasing demand. The visibility of children regularly accessing the fridge underscores the severity of the problem.
“Children shouldn’t have to worry about where their next meal will come from,” Ćosić remarked, highlighting the critical need for food support for vulnerable populations.
Listen to the conversation between Host Candice Lipski and Angie Cullingworth, co-founder and President of FoodBridge Alliance, discussing efforts to address weekend hunger for children who rely on school food programs.
Source