Hi Sherri,
I hope you don’t mind me reaching out – my name is Maja and I work with the Toronto Foundation for Student Success (TFSS). As we’re nearing the winter break, I wanted to e-introduce myself, say hi, and update you on the Nutrition Pantries (NP) program, since Crestwood School generously supported NPs last year. The past three months have brought both challenges and successes, and given Crestwood’s investment in us, I thought you and the school would want to hear about both.
Although NPs were created as a temporary COVID-19 emergency response, they continue to be a necessary and impactful program for students across Toronto. With more students returning to in-person classes this year, combined with the staggering cost of groceries and rent, NPs are in high demand. More than ever, high school students are relying on their schools’ “pantries” as places where they can pick up nourishing, shelf-stable food to prepare at home. Similarly, elementary students are turning to their NPs for mid-day snacks while at school. To keep up with the increased need, we’ve been working to find creative solutions in the face of crisis-level food prices and continued supply chain issues. Our team has been on the ground, developing new partnerships, working directly with vendors, and buying in bulk to stretch our dollars further.
With the staggering cost of food, we know that students will continue to rely on their schools for additional nutritional support. In response to students’ needs being exacerbated by inflation, we’re proud to share that we’ve been able to steadily grow the NP program! While we were able to help 18 high schools at the beginning of the 2021/2022 school year, 35 high schools are now currently participating in this program. By the end of this school year, we also expect 120 elementary schools to offer food through NP programs – up from the 98 elementary schools participating last year. As food insecurity expands across Toronto, our goal is to grow the NP program so that any school that needs additional support has access to it. Of course, we couldn’t do this alone. It’s because of strong supporters like Crestwood School that the NP program has been able to overcome challenges and continue to expand its reach. On behalf of TFSS and the students impacted by Nutrition Pantries every day, thank you. Sherri, if you could extend this thank you to the entire school, we would really appreciate it!
If you have any questions about the NP program or any of our other programs, please feel free to reach out to me by email or phone. I am always happy to talk.
Maja Shannon
Development Officer
