The school workers union in Richmond is pitching in financially to help feed students from low-income families in their city.
CUPE Local 716, representing K-12 support staff in the Richmond School District, has donated $547 to the district’s Richmond Food Program and Feed-U-Cate-38 that provides food for families in Richmond.
The district ordinarily provides food support for families in need by providing children nutritious breakfast and lunch in schools during the year.
However, with schools being closed due to the pandemic, the district – through Feed-U-Cate-38, began delivering food to the families on April 8.
“This year we wanted to do a little more because of the pressing needs in the community caused by the pandemic,” said CUPE 716 president Ian Hillman.
“Our district’s program is important to students and families and we are pleased to support it.”
CUPE members who are involved include the grounds crew, who pick up food from the food bank and a number of grocery stores, education assistants who receive the food and prepare bags for delivery, custodians who are sanitizing work areas, and members from the transportation department who are helping distribute hampers.
The local usually donates funds raised at their Christmas party to the Feed-U-Cate-38 Program, but this year decided to donate additional funds.
Meanwhile, the school district has now set up an online donation form for Feed-U-Cate for anyone in the community who wishes to help support students and families who are not able to access school district food programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To donate, click here.
The school district is currently collaborating with a number of community agencies and businesses, including the Richmond Food Security Society and Richmond Food Bank, to provide weekly bags of groceries, filled with basic non-perishable food items.
The district has identified 243 students across 27 schools to participate in the food program.
These students have been receiving breakfasts and lunches in our schools during the school year, and these grocery products will provide them with healthy and nutritious foods while they are learning from home.
