Donors help thousands of families through Surrey Schools meal program

The district’s meal program is a cornerstone for more than 2,200 students, and Surrey Schools has many donors to thank for their contributions to supporting the health and nutrition of so many kindergarten to Grade 12 students in need.

For Marie Montroy, whose four grandchildren participate in the meal program, the breakfast and lunch programs offered at their schools have benefitted her family for almost 10 years.

“I’m really thankful that this program is there for them,” said Montroy. “It’s been going on since my own kids were younger. My grandchildren love the program – when the youngest gets up in the morning, the only thing she wants to do is go to the breakfast program.”

Montroy said her family has seen a tremendous impact from the program, noting the importance of proper nutrition to help stimulate young minds and improve their performance in class.

“I find it helps motivate them to be in the class because they’re not hungry,” she said. “The meals are important, especially breakfast, and they really need to have nutritious food to do well in class.”

Food insecurity is a critical issue for many families as inflation continues to increase the cost of living. The impacts are also being felt by the district’s meal program in light of rising food and transportation costs. The district’s meal program is run largely through community donors, including Super Save Group, Vancouver Sun Children’s Fund, Breakfast Clubs of Canada, PC Children’s Charity, PCI Developments, and Zenterra Developments.

“If it wasn’t for their donations, I’m pretty sure a lot of these children would be starving, and they’d be sick all the time because they’re not getting the proper meals,” said Montroy. “I know a lot of families that don’t have anything, and they try, and they just can’t make ends meet. This helps them know that their kids are getting a good meal and that they’re really benefitting in school because of it.”

For everything that the meal program has done for her grandchildren, Montroy said she is filled with a real sense of gratitude to all of the donors who have contributed over the years.

“I’m thankful that there are programs like this out there to help feed the children,” she said. “It’s important that the donors know where their money is going and the impact they are having on the well-being of so many children. The more they can donate, the better it is for the children – no child should be hungry. Without them, this isn’t possible.”

Community donors continue to provide core funding for the lunch program, and the breakfast program remains fully funded only through generous community donations that ensure students have a nutritious start to their day. Thank you to all of our generous donors for everything you do to support the district’s meal programs!

To donate to the Surrey Schools meal programs or for more information, please click here.

In late August, the B.C government provided $7.3 million in one-time funding to Surrey Schools to support families and make the return to school more affordable. This one-time funding is being utilized by the district to support family costs for field trips, school events and other enhanced school-based experiences, as well as for school supplies, food for home, and clothing for an increasing number of students in need who are not already supported by donors. This provincial funding is also being used to support the district’s lunch program, including expanding menu options, covering staff costs and providing food hampers to families during the winter and spring breaks. Families are encouraged to reach out to their school principal if support is needed.