Brant Food For Thought is grateful to the many individuals and organizations for their ongoing efforts in helping us to support students and families during this unprecedented time. Now more than ever, we need to ensure that students have access to nutritious foods to help them learn and succeed from home.
A project of this magnitude would not be possible without the generous support of funders, foundations, corporations and individual donors. We would like to thank the provincial Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services , administered regionally by Haldimand-Norfolk R.E.A.C.H., the City of Brantford, the Brant United Way, the County of Brant, Breakfast Club of Canada, The Grocery Foundation, FirstOntario Credit Union, Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign, Second Harvest, Stephen Smith and Dorothy Woltz Foundation, Extend Communications, Paris Optimist Club and the many generous individuals and businesses who have mailed in cheques or given through our online portals at Canada Helps and Benevity.
We would also like to thank our dedicated local suppliers, Forte Produce and Lococo’s Wholesale, for meeting the demands for fresh produce and dairy products needed to fulfill the weekly student nutrition boxes and for delivering directly to our distribution sites. Our community partners have shared their food spaces and staff to facilitate the weekly distribution to children, youth and families during this time. Once again, we say thank you to the Brantford Food Bank, Salvation Army Brantford Community Church / Paris Food Bank location, Fellowship Baptist Burford Food Bank, Brant Community Church, Friendship House, Margot’s Place , personnel from Brant County OPP, County of Brant Fire Department, principals from Brant Haldimand-Norfolk Catholic DSB and Grand Erie District School Board, along with local neighbourhood resource centres.
Our communities have come together like a giant village to rally around children, youth and families. Allow us to share with you the impact of the Brant Food For Thought Emergency Food Relief efforts at this time.
Nutritious Food Box provided by Brant Food For Thought
“I received a food box today from Brant Food for Thought. It was very well-organized and contained food from each food group so I’m able to ensure that, during this Covid-19 pandemic, my kids are still able to have the proper foods that sometimes aren’t always available or easily accessible right now. Being pregnant makes it difficult to get into stores often and be able to make sure my kids are eating healthy. There is enough there to last my family of 2 adults and 2 children under 6 for at least a week. I received bread, English muffins, eggs, apples, oranges, broccoli, tomatoes, onion, carrots, milk, and a couple healthy snack options for my kids. It’s fantastic and I am so grateful!”
Nutritious Food Box delivered to a mother by Community Worker, Brant County Health Unit
Another mother writes, “Thank you so much. We are so grateful. I’m a front line worker and this will really help myself and my children. It’s so hard right now. Bless you.”
Principal BHNCDSB and Brantford Food Bank staff
Principals from both the Brant Haldimand-Norfolk Catholic District School Board and the Grand Erie District School Board have been actively involved in delivering boxes of nutritious foods to families in their school communities.
“We can’t thank Brant Food For Thought enough for the generosity and support that they have provided to our school families during this very difficult time. There is so much uncertainty right now for families, but knowing that they are able to put food on their table and provide for their children helps to ease some of the burdens that COVID has created.” Principal, BHNCDSB
GEDSB Principal and VP delivering boxes
“Families are struggling with online learning, job losses, working from home and all the unknowns, and to know that they don’t have to choose between paying a cell phone bill or getting groceries for their families is a huge relief. Thank you Brant Food For Thought.”
Principal, GEDSB
A sincere thank you to Constable Ken Johnson from Brant County OPP, along with Fire Prevention Officer, Tom Waldschmidt from the County of Brant Fire Department, who have willingly stepped in to deliver the nutritious food boxes to families needing our support. Waldschmidt expressed it this way, “I am humbled to have the opportunity to help with the delivery of the Nutritious Food Boxes on Friday. The transition of going to school to learning from home has been tough for some students and families, and I have witnessed the appreciation from families receiving these boxes as an extension of school nutrition programs at home.”
Constable Ken Johnson – Brant County OPP delivering directly to families
Constable Ken Johnson also serves as a High School Resource Officer. He shares his experience.
“These are uncertain times and people in our communities are struggling. Through the Brant Food For Thought emergency food relief program and in partnership with high school staff, I have been fortunate to help provide a little relief with boxes of fresh nutritious food. When a family has to make the decision between keeping the internet on for their kid’s school work or getting fresh food, it is definitely time to move in and offer some assistance. I am very proud to be able to offer a little something extra to these families to help make a difference.”
Principal BHNCDSB and Tom Waldschmidt, Fire Prevention Officer, County of Brant FD