'The kids appreciate us': Volunteer group in N.B. expands Brown Bag Lunch Program for high school students
A group in Saint John, N.B. that has been making lunches for high school students for the past seven years is once again planning to expand its operation.
The Brown Bag Lunch Program started in 2014 with the East Saint John United Churches. Volunteers say they prepare fresh fruit, vegetables and sandwiches to ensure high school students who need a helping hand aren't going hungry.
"Usually in every lunch, there's a drink box, a sandwich, fresh fruit if we can, and also a granola bar or something of that lot," said Joan Shillington, a program coordinator for the Brown Bag Lunch Program. "Lots of times, there are programs available for elementary students but by the time they reach high school, they may have been receiving them through elementary school, but then it stops."
The program originally started small, with 30 lunches created one day per week. Over the years, the program has expanded.
Today, more than 90 volunteers make 275 brown bag lunches per week – serving five high schools in total.
"The kids appreciate us so much, you know," said Pam Carter, a program buyer. "Some of the kids used to call us the brown bag love... some people came to school just because they knew they would get a lunch."
This fall, the lunch program will be moving to a new location at the Harmony United Church, allowing for the program to expand once again. The group plans to increase their output to 400 brown bag lunches per week once in their new location.
"I approached the uptown high schools to see if there was a need there and there definitely is a need there as well," said Shillington. "Just as with the East Saint John community so, that's why we're doing the expansion."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.