Kelly Haick only recently learned about Niagara Nutrition Partners. But now that she knows, Haick said she felt the need to help the agency that operates nutrition programs in some 200 schools across Niagara’s four school boards.
“I was speaking with my friend who is a teacher at the District School Board of Niagara and she shared with me her school’s need for the program,” Haick said. “I was told they could use more support if it was available and I was mind-blown. I didn’t know Niagara Nutrition Partners existed.”
Haick, a mortgage broker, is among a dedicated group of Niagara women consisting of business owners, realtors, and advocates who have launched a social media awareness campaign to support the Niagara Nutrition Program. The other volunteers involved include Alicia Yap, Andrea France, Britt Dixon, Bryony Hawthorn, Carly Brenton, Dayana Zuluaga, Fallon Farinacci, Jasmine Jasudavicius, and Susie Turner. They are using their Instagram accounts to share personal stories and testimonials about Niagara Nutrition Partners and how it supports the community.
The region-wide program was established in 1998 with the goal of providing support and coordination for student nutrition programs in both elementary and secondary schools as well as community-based programs.
The campaign kicked off Feb. 26 and will continue until March 1.
Haick said it is the group’s hope to inspire viewers to take action and sign up for a $10 monthly donation, engage with content through likes, comments, and shares, and even create their own reels to amplify awareness.
“Over the years, the funding Niagara Nutrition Partners has received hasn’t increased but the demand for it has,” Haick said. “It is an inspiring testament to what can be achieved when influential voices come together for a common cause, aligning our shared passion for making a difference in Niagara.”
The ultimate goal is to secure commitments from 200 individuals to support the program through regular contributions.
Niagara Nutrition Partners Manager Jessica Stephenson said the agency receives partial funding from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. However, the provincial funding only covers about 15 percent of the cost for the not-for-profit’s programs.
“Our provincial funding has not increased since 2014, so there is a big funding gap.”
Last year, the provincial government also pledged $1 million in funding to student nutrition programs across Ontario— $35,000 of which ended up in Niagara. While grateful for the support, Stephenson described it as a drop in the bucket in terms of helping the agency reach its fundraising goals.
“We're hopeful for some meaningful, long-term sustainable funding as the new budgets are announced. But for right now, we remain reliant on our community.”
Currently, Niagara Nutrition Partners provides nutritious meals to 24,000 students daily, an increase from 17,000 before the pandemic.
Stephenson said the programs are universal for all children. Regardless of the reason they might be hungry, students can access their school’s program.
“The whole concept behind that is to remove the stigma that’s been typically attached to breakfast programs,” Stephenson said. “There is an array of reasons why children come to school hungry and may need to access these programs. So we just leveled the playing field.”
The program isn’t just about feeding hungry stomachs either. Stephenson said NNP teaches about healthy eating habits.
“We have a lot of student volunteers who participate in the programming. So they'll prepare, serve, cook, and do the budgeting. All of those different skills are just really tangible, meaningful ways that kids are building their toolbox for a lifetime of success.”
For more information about NNP, including how to donate, visit www.niagaranutritionpartners.ca
