The Waterloo Education Foundation Inc. has made a significant donation to support students throughout the region.
A total of $50,000 will be split between Food4Kids Waterloo Region, May Court Club of Kitchener-Waterloo, Nutrition for Learning and WEFI Winter Wear.
Food4Kids Waterloo Region, Nutrition for Learning and WEFI Winter Wear are receiving $15,000 each, with May Court Club of Kitchener-Waterloo being gifted $5,000.
“The WEFI donation to community partners and programs demonstrates an ongoing commitment to supporting the students of the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB),” Scott Miller, interim director of education and WEFI president, said in a release on the public board's website.
"Through supporting these partners, WEFI is helping to ensure that identity and social location are no longer barriers to academic achievement and well-being.”
Food4Kids Waterloo Region, May Court Club of Kitchener-Waterloo and Nutrition for Learning are all food programs that support students.
With the money, Food4Kids will be able to provide 11 students with nutritious food for an entire year. It currently works with 108 of 151 public and Catholic elementary schools and serves over 1,200 kids.
The WEFI Winter Wear program purchases clothing items such as boots, coats, hats and mitts for students in need.
"The need is growing daily," Faune Lang, executive director of Food4Kids Waterloo Region, said.
"Currently, 260+ students are on our waitlist and have been identified as severely food insecure. Together, we can change the narrative. The work and care teachers, staff, board members, and support workers provide for these children daily is remarkable."
The WEFI is a registered charitable foundation that operates through the WRDSB and aims to provide assistance to students in need while also supporting various local programs.
