Students from different high schools across Barrie are working together to combat food insecurity.
Thanks to a $5,000 grant from United Way, students built and restocked food pantries across the city.
“I had no idea how bad it was until I was invited to do this project. I think one in five households is struggling with food insecurity,” said Lucas, a student at Barrie North University. Grieve says.
Construction technology students from Eastview and Innisdale Secondary Schools designed and built the boxes.
“We tried to help make the boxes, sides, tops, little cuts, etc.,” says Ciara Norton, a student at Innisdale Secondary School.
Meanwhile, Innisdale's Global Perspectives class was tasked with collecting food, with a little help from Bury Foodbank.
“We had a budget of $2,000, so we went to Costco, No Frills, and Lowbrows, and most importantly, we chose food,” says Sydney Paymard, a student at Innisdale Secondary School.
“We have to think about the seasons and what is suitable for summer and winter. So the students did some research on that. We asked them what works. “We don't want anything that isn't going to rot in the pantry,” said Sharon, executive director of the Barrie Food Bank. Palmer says.
Palmer said having access to emergency supplies 24/7 is a game-changer, as not everyone can visit a food bank during business hours.
“As we know, there are a lot of people experiencing homelessness in our city, and they need help everywhere,” Palmer said.
Students also created a pamphlet listing various community resources to place in the pantry.
“We know where the food bank is and there are different sections…one for harm reduction, one for crisis, one for food, one for housing, one for mental health,” said Leah Poche, a student at Innisdale Secondary School. Masu.
There are now more than six food pantries in the community. Once donations are collected, students will continue to stock them as needed.