Shortreed Community Elementary fed the stomachs of Aldergrove residents strapped for cash during the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the past three months.
The volunteers responsible for the program, which operated weekdays between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the southwest corner of the school, decided to end the summer in style by dressing up in grass skirts and bright flowers.
Fruit smoothies were part of this weeks menu, as well as track and track and field games, freezies, participation prizes, and a section serving as a free mini grocery store.
READ MORE: Shortreed offering free ‘grab-and-go’ lunches to Aldergrove families amid pandemic
Lindsay Romas, youth care worker at Shortreed Elementary, said more than 200 people would come by to grab a meal within the hour, proving there is a need for the service to continue.
“We really want to thank all of the donors publicly that have made the program successful and able to keep running through the summer,” Romas said.
The free lunch program with not continue at the school, but plans are being made for ‘grab-and-go’ services to relocate elsewhere in Aldergrove.
Shortreed began serving the nutritious lunches on April 28, inspiring other programs such as a ‘grab-and-go’ grocery store at Parkside Elementary.
Romas said a total of 10,588 lunches were served within that three month period.
Volunteers and sponsors included:
Aldergrove RCMP
Aldergrove Subway
Pho Aldergrove
Aldergrove Save On Foods
Sources
FraserFika
United Way
Fortis
White Spot
Otter Co-op
Choice Pizza
Mrs. Macklin the muffin lady
Abbotsford Big Box Outlet
Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Vancouver
St. Joachim & Ann Catholic Church’s Catholic Woman’s League
Private donors (many of them)
United Way Lower Mainland (Local Love Fund Grant)
Basyl Clothing
Drift Wellness Apothecary
Church of the Valley
Shortreed PAC
Meals on Wheels
Masks by Bunny
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Email: ryan.uytdewilligen@langleyadvancetimes.com
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