www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday July 16, 2008 - 5 School nutrition program hungry for funding By Stephanie Hounsell SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER To demonstrate the severity of a problem in school lunchrooms across Halton, Lena Bassford of Halton Food for Thought passed out a brown paper bag to each councillor at a recent Halton Region committee meeting. In some were nutritious snacks such as granola bars. In others were junk food like chocolate bars and pop. In still others was absolutely nothing. It's a realistic representation, Bassford said, of what students bring for snacks each day. "One in 10 children arrives at school without any food," Bassford, the regional manager of Halton Food for Thought's student nutrition programs, told committee members at the recent health and social services meeting. This not-for-profit organization has been helping alleviate hunger for the past 10 years. It currently has 79 student nutrition programs running in about 75 elementary and secondary schools and three community locations. By the end of the next school year, that number will jump to 93 out of Halton's 145 schools. But it may have to stop its program growth. "We have to place a moratorium on any new programs," Bassford told committee members. "This is devastating because for many children, the food they receive from Food for Thought is the only food (they'll get) the entire day." Bassford was at the meeting to appeal for funding from Halton Region. She requested $50,000 for each of two years, which would enable the organization to have a program in every Halton school in five years. The funding would largely support north Halton, Bassford said in an interview after the meeting. She said it's more difficult to raise funds in north Halton because there aren't as many businesses to partner with as in Oakville and Burlington. The programs currently in Halton include snack and breakfast programs, plus the Healthy Bin, which allows every student access to healthy food at any time, Bassford explained. With some programs, snacks are given to every child. With others, the food is for targeted kids. Halton Food for Thought receives its funding from the Province, community grants (the United Way, Trillium Foundation, etc.), donations and fundraising. Oakville Councillor Fred Oliver asked Bassford: "Do you agree this is not a cost, but an investment?" "Absolutely," she replied. Halton Hills Councillor Clark Somerville said school boards should also be financing the programs. (The Halton District School Board has donated money to the program through its Halton Learning Foundation.) The committee supported a motion to refer consideration of the request for funding to the 2009 budget. The recommendation will go before regional council today. FREE RIDE With 6 months Free Gas! With up to $1500 in Free Gas! 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