The Ontario Student Nutrition Program continues to make a difference in Windsor-Essex.
The program assists 29,000 elementary and secondary students across all four boards within the region during the school year.
Essex MPP Anthony Leardi visited Stella Maris Catholic Elementary School in Amherstburg Friday morning to see how the program is working out at the school.
School principal Tania Sorge says the program started in March 2022 at the school and supports over 380 students.
"We sometimes have to go around twice with our program because they're still hungry in the afternoon," says Sorge. "Often times we'll get visits in the office to say thank-you but do you have more. The program started up shortly after March of last year so this is one full year now and I'm not sure how they did it without to be quite honest because we can't keep enough food in the fridge."
She believes it's a combination as to why the school sometimes has to offer the program a couple times a day.
Sorge says students are growing but there is also the local economy.
"They definitely need to fuel their minds for that reason but I also think that's coupled with the struggles we see our community having right now whether it's because of COVID or lack of work or whatever the problem might be at the home front financially," says Sorge. "They don't have as many options and so they do often come to school hungry and sometimes the snacks provided aren't enough for them."
Essex MPP Anthony Leardi hands out snacks at Stella Maris Catholic Elementary School in Amherstburg, May 5, 2023 (Photo by AM800's Rob Hindi)
The program is offered at 93 schools in Windsor-Essex.
Snacks include fruits and vegetables along with a protein and a grain.
The program is funded through provincial grants and donations.