SURREY School District’s Meal Program provides daily nutritious breakfast and lunch meals to students that may not otherwise be able to access them. The Surrey Board of Trade believes that the business community has a role to play in supporting the accessibility of these nutritious meals.

“As we move into a new school season after Labour Day, the Surrey Board of Trade is stepping up and providing a $10,000 donation to students in need for the Surrey School District’s breakfast and lunch programs,” said Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade, on Friday. “We urge businesses to donate and help Surrey’s children as they are our future workforce and our future entrepreneurs. Let’s support them in accessing the food that will fuel them for successful futures.”

“Through experience and studies, we know that proper nutrition is crucial for a child’s mental, emotional and physical development,” added Huberman.

About the Breakfast Program 

• Breakfast is served across 60+ sites in the Surrey School District each school day to over 1,400 students in need.
• The breakfast program helps ensure that students in Grades K-12 are able to receive a healthy morning meal, while also providing the opportunity for them to connect with their peers in a family like setting.
• The breakfast program ensures students are ready, able and motivated to learn when they arrive in class each morning.
• Breakfast typically includes cereal, milk, toast and jam, cheese, yogurt, eggs, fruit and vegetables. This menu is paired with a warm welcome each morning from school staff and volunteers, giving students the incentive to get to school and be on time.
• Each meal costs approximately $1 per student.

About the Lunch Program

• Lunch is provided to students in need at 33 elementary and secondary school sites across the district.
• Collectively, these programs provide lunch to approximately 1,800 students.
• For elementary students, lunch is made off site and safely delivered to each school/classroom for students to enjoy a meal with their peers.
• For secondary students, there is one designated school space (classroom/portable) where students are able to pick up their lunch.
• This mid-day meal re-energizes the body and mind, ensuring our young learners have the necessary nutrition to remain focused and engaged with their learning for the remainder of the day.
• Lunch at all sites includes a variety of items such as sandwiches, proteins, fruits and vegetables.
• Each meal costs approximately $2.68/day per elementary student, and approximately $3.35/day per secondary student.

Where donations could be directed specifically or generally

Hjorth Road Elementary is among the schools in the district that serve important breakfast and lunch meals. This Guildford area school has 289 students enrolled and approximately 30% of students benefit from meal programs here.  Total costs for breakfast food for the school year at Hjorth are $3,660, while lunch costs equate to $41,600.

Riverdale Elementary also serves key meals to approximately 90 of its 465 students each day. Total costs for food at Riverdale are $6,400 for breakfast and $44,100 for lunch.

There is currently a shortfall of funding for meal programs in the district.  To continue these vital programs for students, donations are needed.  All donations will go directly to fund food costs for breakfast and lunch – all administrative, operational, staffing and related costs are covered by the Surrey School District.

Action to help children in need:
https://www.surreyschools.ca/departments/BDEV/Donations/WaystoGive/Pages/default.asp