The Langley students who created the “weekend fuelbag” program to feed hungry classmates made a good impression when they appeared at a meeting of the union that represents Langley Township workers.
“They’re an amazing bunch,” said Brad Hamel CUPE Local 403 first vice president.
The students made such a good impression that the union has decided to use their annual membership barbecue to raise money for the program that provides meals for students-in-need outside regular school hours.
“We’ve put a little twist in it and we’ve turned it into a fundraiser,” Hamel said.
The event, which is open to the general public, will run Saturday, Aug. 26 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Willoughby park.
“We have a prize table set up for raffle prizes as well as some great entertainment,” Hamel said.
Scheduled performers include country artists Karen Lee Batten and Danielle Marie with special guest Jordan Aaron (Aaron Pritchett’s son) and Myles Murphy, along with a rock-and-roll band of Township Public Works staffers called “Public Jerks.”
The event is free with all proceeds going to the weekend fuelbag program.
The student-led initiative, that helps Langley students-in-need with weekend food was founded by Katrina and Emma Schulz and Brady Lumsden.
It started out in September of 2016, helping 16 middle and high school students at R.E. Mountain and Walnut Grove, as well as at Yorkson Creek Middle School.
Students in the program were given bags every Friday that contain two breakfasts, two lunches, drinks and snacks to tide the students over the weekend. The bags are picked up confidentially at the schools.
When it looked like the program might come to an end because a major sponsor was closing, a public appeal by the students saw new sponsors step up, allowing the program to expand to other schools, helping more than 70 students at eight middle and secondary schools in Langley.
To donate to the Weekend Fuelbag program, email weekendfuelbag@shaw.ca.
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