Like so many social services initiatives these days, the school lunch program run out of Okotoks United Church is experiencing an increased demand this fall.
Started by Brian Olson and his wife Shannon over a decade ago, the program has seen a steady uptick over the years to the point where it provided over 17,000 lunches last year.
Olson said numbers can fluctuate from week to week, but he estimates volunteers are producing 10 per cent more lunches this year as they do their best to ensure that no student goes hungry.
Coordinators since the program’s inception, the Olsons are proud it's become a year-round initiative that also provides weekend bags as well as food gift cards for all school holidays.
“It's a 365-day-a-year program versus the 174 days they go to school,” he said. "We do summer vacation, we do Christmas, Easter, any of the breaks in the school year. Instead of providing the physical lunches (during school breaks), we're providing them with gift certificates.”
A group of volunteers gathers in the church kitchen every Monday morning to make lunches for the first half of the week, then returns on Thursday morning to do the same for the remainder of the week, including the weekend.
Olson said a typical lunch consists of a sandwich made with either turkey, beef, ham or chicken, a piece of fruit, vegetables and a snack, something like a granola bar or yogurt.
Another group of volunteers picks up the lunches and delivers them to the schools.
What started with 23 students at two schools has grown to where it’s now serving all Foothills School Division schools in Okotoks, providing lunches for upwards of 100 children.
As demand increases, so does the need for financial donations from the community, which Olson said has been phenomenal over the years.
“Thirteen years ago, I went out asking for money and I have not gone out since,” he said. "The money keeps coming in and the largest donor, of course, is The George (Traditional House). They donate half of the cash requirements of the entire program.
“It's remarkable. (The George owner) John (Nicastro) and the crew have really done a remarkable job. We're so thankful to be part of this community.”
Olson is also grateful for the work of volunteers who dutifully prepare, pack and deliver lunches on a weekly basis.
“We have a great crew, it's unbelievably positive," he said. "We've got a very committed group of volunteers, but like every organization we could always use another one.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also supports the lunch program through donations and volunteers.
Olson looks at the program as an investment in the future, saying kids need fuel in order to learn.
“When we started this program, you went around to the different schools and the schools were talking about kids filling up on water and then having to go to the washroom all afternoon. There wasn't food for them, and it was sad," he said.
“We have seen so many cases where when we're delivering lunches, kids are waiting in the office and they haven't eaten since yesterday's lunch. We've seen enough kids that we don't need any more motivation, we just need to keep our feet moving.”
Olson said anyone who would like to get involved with the program, either through donating or volunteering, can call 403-660-0397.
