Noelle’s Gift again evoked the spirit of late Kindergarten teacher Noelle Paquette by making a $90,000 donation to the Ontario Student Nutrition Program, tangibly improving the lives of children across the community.
Representatives from the non-profit dropped off a check at Sarnia’s High Park Public School on Feb. 1, with money from the donation earmarked to support 43 Lambton County schools’ nutrition programs – in essence giving 9,974 students access to healthy and nutritious snacks and meals.
A group of students from High Park showered Noelle’s Gift’s Nicole Paquette and Sue Sarratore with praise for the donation, presenting them with an oversized thank-you card and mentioning their favorite snacks from the program, which included muffins, bananas, frozen yogurt and apples.
With rising inflation, a marked increase in the cost of food and area families “feeling the crunch” in recent years, Noelle’s Gift’s donation comes at the perfect time, said High Park Vice-Principal Kate Allison, who co-ordinates the program at the elementary school.
Donations from community members and organizations as well as grants have helped supplement the program in the school, allowing all 500 students in High Park to have access to healthy food ranging from bread, yogurt, cheese, fruits and vegetables Allison said. But with 100 additional students enrolled this year, the school has had to spend an additional $400 to $500 each week to keep up with demand.
The $90,000 donation from Noelle’s Gift – which will be dispersed in three installments – will provide some much needed relief to this very important program, which has a profound effect on the educational careers of children.
“We know that kids learn best when they have full tummies, so this is an essential part of our education system now, ensuring that kids can learn and grow and do the best that they can without having to feel hunger pains,” Allison said.
The High Park program is designed to provide a basket of food every day to each of its 20 classrooms, Allison said. All students are invited to take advantage of the program, in part to reduce any potential stigma associated with accessing the food.
“It’s important that everyone knows that the program is available to them, because we don’t want anyone feeling like they can’t afford it or it’s only for kids who are impoverished,” she said. “That’s not the case – we think that everyone should have access to good, nutritious and healthy food.”
Volunteers, including senior students, staff and local Kiwanis members, help transport and distribute the food, and all food purchased for the program is selected according to strict nutritional guidelines, Allison said.
“It’s for everyone, available at anytime and it’s definitely worth it,” she said. “Sometimes you can turn a kid’s day around with a frozen yogurt.”
Since 2014, Noelle’s Gift has given roughly $350,000 to the Ontario Student Nutrition Program said Leslie Palimaka, Lambton co-ordinator for the Victorian Order of Nurses, one of 14 lead agencies for the provincial program.
Nutrition programs in schools have been proven to vastly improve student performance and educational outcomes, Palimaka said, and money from Noelle’s Gift will provide innumerable benefits for the students, their families, the school and its staff.
The donation is also an investment in the children of Lambton County, money that will help them build a brighter future.
“We are so grateful and appreciative of Noelle’s Gift’s continued commitment to student nutrition,” Palimaka said. “They’re such a gracious charity that always put kids first.”
Nicole Paquette, who was visibly moved by the thank you card given to her by students, said the donation perfectly aligned with the charity’s mission.
“When Noelle was here, she always made sure she packed extra lunches for her students,” Nicole said, pausing. “And she’s still feeding students, just so much more than she ever imagined.”