Individuals from left to right in photo: Garry Jewel, Susan Jewel, Kimberly Leadbeater, Marilyn Wilson, Kim Blair, Beth Kolisnyk, and Barb Harnden.
A Grafton couple has made a significant contribution to student well-being in Northumberland County.
Garry and Susan Jewell have donated $23,882.85 to Northumberland Food For Thought in support of Student Nutrition Programs across the county. The organization confirms that 100 per cent of the funds will go directly to schools to help offset rising food costs.
Northumberland Food For Thought is the local non-profit planning partnership that supports free, voluntary Student Nutrition Programs in schools throughout the region. These programs provide nutritious food to thousands of students each day, helping ensure children are ready to learn.
Kimberly Leadbeater, Registered Dietitian with Lakelands Public Health and Chair of Northumberland Food For Thought, noted that the donation reinforces the strong link between proper nutrition and student success in the classroom.
Sustaining and expanding student nutrition programs, particularly in a time of rising food costs, depends heavily on community support, added Beth Kolisnyk, Regional Student Nutrition Program Coordinator for Student Nutrition Ontario Central East and a member of the Northumberland Food For Thought committee.
At the school level, the impact is tangible. Acting Principal Mary Ellen French of Grafton Public School said welcoming the donors to see the program in action underscored just how meaningful community contributions are to students and staff alike.
In addition to community donations, Student Nutrition Programs receive funding from the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services through Peterborough Child & Family Centres.
More information about the programs or how to donate is available at northumberlandfoodforthought.ca.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
