It’s 6:45 a.m. on a Tuesday morning and Joyce Jones is on her way to Hal High to help make sure teenagers start their day in the right way.
She’s one of seven volunteers assisting with the school’s breakfast program. Each morning, two or three will arrive at hospitality and tourism teacher Darla Searle’s kitchen around 7 a.m. to prepare hearty meals for youth.
There are quick options such as fruit, granola bars, mini muffins and parfait, but the team also prepares one hot dish every morning. Recent offerings have included bagels with cream cheese and western sandwiches. Jones said the team prepares about 50 each day and puts them out in the hall, along with the quicker grab-and-go items, for 8:30 a.m., just in time for students arriving on the bus.
Searle said the program has been running for many years, though demand has increased significantly since 2022. That’s coincided with a change in program delivery – kids used to have to go inside Searle’s classroom to help themselves to items, but she felt that limited numbers.
“There might be 15 or 20 kids who would come in – but I know there were a lot more who could have used a morning meal but just didn’t want to be seen,” Searle said.
“We wanted to take away the stigma piece. Kids don’t need to feel embarrassed, but they’re teenagers and if they feel someone may make fun of them… they’d rather go hungry.”
Because the volunteers don’t man the table, they’re unsure of the number of students they’re serving. Though, volunteer Brenda Bain said most of the food is gone come clean-up time.
The program is funded through Food for Kids. The organization launched in 2000 as a pilot project at Stuart Baker Elementary School and has since expanded to all County schools.
Aaron Walker, owner of McKeck’s restaurant in Haliburton, is the group’s lead facilitator. The non-profit gets money from the province and other resources, such as Breakfast for Learning, Breakfast Clubs of Canada and President’s Choice Children Charity, but still has to fundraise annually to meet local demand.
“Children that eat breakfast demonstrate enhanced academic and behavioural patterns more so than children who do not. Many children do not have access to safe, nutritious and culturally appropriate food,” Walker said in a message on the Food for Kids website.
“The outcome [from the program] is that young people of Haliburton County develop lifelong healthy eating habits, optimize their learning at school, and focus on education and not hunger,” he added.
There are others who offer support, too. Community members, parents and the Minden Legion usually make generous donations, Searle said. Volunteer Pat Hicks said Haliburton Foodland also regularly donates food to the cause.
“Brad Park [Foodland owner] always helps out – if we need bagels, eggs, we know all we have to do is mention it to him and we’ll have it,” Hicks said.
While the program’s primary focus is helping youth dealing with food insecurity at home, Searle said anyone is welcome to partake – even teachers.
She sees the program running long into the future – of the seven volunteers, five are brand new. Helpers include Jones, Hicks, Bain, Cynthia Handler, Barb Winn, Tessa Barnes and Sara Burtch.
“This is a great way to give back to the community,” Searle said.
Anyone interesting in volunteering can contact 705-457-2950 or infohss@tldsb. on.ca
