Nutrition helps set Foothills area students up for success.
The Western Wheel Cares fundraising campaign has again partnered with the Sheep River Health Trust, who will use the funds raised for its school meal program. Last year, the program provided over 21,000 meals to students throughout the Foothills.
The aim of the program is to help students focus better, learn better, and get better nutrition, said Andrea Mitchell, executive director of the Sheep River Health Trust.
“When you’re tired or hungry, what does your brain feel like? It sometimes feels mushy,” Mitchell said.
Through the program, 12 schools receive funding to support meals for students and schools can use the funds for what works best for them.
“We have schools that feed breakfast every day, because they find that some of their kids don't come with breakfast. We have schools that have a hot lunch program that provides lunch for students who need it. We have other schools that have a cupboard that students can access if they don't have enough food,” she said.
Every year, the trust provides about $24,000 to schools for the program, which is raised through fundraising as well as corporate partnerships.
“But we always have more asks from schools than we have funds,” she said. “The need just keeps growing every year.
“And we're finding an increase in food insecurity in our community. So, if they know they can go into school and have a lunch, that that takes the pressure off a family as well.”
Besides the school lunch program, the organization helps fund programs at the Okotoks Wellness Centre and at Black Diamond’s Oilfields Hospital, and supports other charities in the community.
In addition to the Sheep River Health Trust, Foothills Country Hospice, Inclusion Foothills, Foothills Advocacy in Motion, Okotoks Food Bank, Rowan House Society and Pound Rescue will benefit from the 2022 Western Wheel Cares campaign.
“There’re so many great organizations in our neighbourhoods,” Mitchell said, “from the food bank to FAIM (Foothills Advocacy in Motion) to everybody in between that does different work to support our community, that it's nice to see the money stay in our community.”
This year’s campaign runs from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31 and 100 per cent of donations go to the featured charities.
In 2021, Western Wheel Cares raised a record $72,107, pushing its 10-year total to $486,389.
Each week, the Wheel will feature one of the charities receiving money from the campaign.
To donate to Western Wheel Cares, mail cheques to Box 150, Okotoks, AB, T1S 2A2 or visit Western Wheel Cares - OkotoksToday.ca.
As well, you can drop by the Wheel office at 9 McRae St. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch) weekdays or call 587-325-6234.
