Noelle's Gift to Children has committed $111,000 to support student nutrition programs in Lambton County.
The 2024 funding commitment to the Victorian Order of Nurses' (VON) Ontario Student Nutrition Program-Lambton (OSNP-Lambton) was announced during an event at Hanna Memorial School on February 14.
VON Student Nutrition Coordinator Leslie Palimaka said 100 per cent of the funding will be split between 47 schools to help feed over 10,000 students.
"The most recent announcement has been very welcome considering the rising food cost that we all face," she said.
As part of the funding commitment, Palimaka said there will be three installments throughout the year, the first portion of $37,000 has already been distributed to student nutrition programs.
Palimaka said the programs follow nutrition standards to make sure students are eating healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, cereals, cheese, and yogurt.
Since 2014, Noelle’s Gift has donated $461,000 to the Student Nutrition Program in Lambton County.
Palimaka thanked the local non-profit organization for their support as well as community members who support the initiatives and campaigns organized by Noelle's Gift.
"Noelle’s Gift to Children is a valued and vital community partner ensuring that students in Lambton are well nourished and ready to learn,” she said.
VON’s OSNP receives annual funding from the Ministry of Community, Children and Social Services to support a portion of program costs during the school year. OSNP-Lambton works with third-party funders, local community partners, and schools to raise the remaining funds needed.