School districts, like many businesses and organizations, have been forced to adapt amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In School District 67, students鈥� learning has switched to online, schools are closed to most, and most programs are on hold or being presented in different ways.
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However some things, like the schools鈥� breakfast program, which provides a healthy breakfast to students who may come to school hungry, cannot function as it normally would, due to social distancing protocols.
Despite this, thanks to the generosity of the community, it remains active.
鈥淚鈥檝e been up to the board office twice this week 鈥� both times I鈥檝e gone up there, somebody鈥檚 been at the door with a cheque for our food program,鈥� said SD67 Chair James Palanio. 鈥淪o that鈥檚 really great to see that the community鈥檚 stepping up and helping out as well.鈥�
Individuals are handing in cheques specifically for the food program. Money from the school district that would normally go to the in-school breakfast program has been re-allocated to instead purchase food hampers, explained Palanio, adding that there鈥檚 an additional cost to running the program like this. Donations like these from the community, he said, have been instrumental.
鈥淭here鈥檚 additional costs to having to do it this way, so it鈥檚 nice to see that people are stepping up to help out,鈥� he said.
The Penticton RCMP Detachment has also offered to help deliver food hampers to families who are not able to leave their homes.
Amid uncertain times, Palanio said it鈥檚 nice to hear about the good news.
鈥淚 know people are hearing about the negative stresses that we鈥檙e having to deal with, so it鈥檚 nice to see that the cream rises to the top, and good people jump in and help out,鈥� Palanio said.
Since 2011 has been working with the Penticton School Board to provide nutritious breakfasts five days a week at three local elementary schools; Columbia, Queen鈥檚 Park and West Bench. The service is provided to ensure children do not go hungry.
editor@pentictonwesternnews.com
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