The Brown Bag Lunch program has announced it will expand its program to offer 400 lunches weekly for middle and high school students across Saint John.
The program started in 2014, making 30 lunches once weekly, but this fall it will add its sixth school, with volunteers working five days per week.
Three days a week they bring 25 lunches to four high schools, and 25 lunches to two middle schools twice weekly. The schools then distribute the lunches to students that need help accessing healthy food.
Volunteer Joan Shillington says they tend to prioritize high school students because they represent the students who are most likely to ‘fall through the cracks.’
“They may be living on their own, they may be couch-surfing, or living in difficult circumstances,” Shillington said.
She adds they’ve seen great community support to help them continue the program. This fall they’ll also move to a new kitchen at Harmony United Church.
Shillington says their 90 volunteers have bubble groups that have allowed them to continue making the bagged lunches through the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was this support and desire of the volunteers that is allowing them to expand the program this fall.
“The timing is good, and we decided the need was there and we’re a group of volunteers that could step up to the plate,” Shillington said.
New volunteers are always welcome to join the team, and Shillington says if you’re interested in joining it’s a rewarding experience.
