Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington

Sharing Recipient Stories

2021 Dufferin County Food for Thought Grant Recipient
$3,000 | Youth & Seniors Services

Like many in Dufferin, Wellington and Guelph, the Children’s Foundation is working towards  continuing our support of the most vulnerable in our community despite the challenges presented  by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Food & Friends Programs provide an excellent start to a child or youth’s day by serving healthy  food in a safe environment in order to maximize the students’ potential to learn. For some  students, the meal they receive from Food & Friends programs is the only food they receive that  day, making the program vital to the overall health, educational and nutritional needs of the  community. 

In September and October: 

• Over 3,000 children and youth were provided 65,000 healthy meals  
• 50 volunteers served 215 hours 
• With food costs increasing and grab-and-go packaging a healthy meal can now cost  $2.50 – $4.25 compared to $1.85 a year ago 

Below are quotes from beneficiaries and coordinators of the program  

• “The volunteers are very happy to be a part of this great opportunity to help students but  also love to get to be at the school with their kids. They feel they are part of the school  community” Program Coordinator 
• “My children are asking for different foods and more willing to try new foods or try food  again even though they don’t like it because their friends are eating the snacks” Parent • “I like eggs now because of you.” Student  

Heather Verpaalen (she/her) 
Student Nutrition Program Manager, Food & Friends 
Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington 
87 Waterloo Ave, Guelph, ON. N1H 3H6 
Cell number: 519-939-2369