Fresh Plate launches pilot program
Fresh Plate is excited to announce the launch of its pilot breakfast program at χpey̓ Elementary in Vancouver.
χpey̓ Elementary is the only Indigenous Focus Choice school in the Lower Mainland. It is located on the corner of East Hastings and Victoria Drive. It welcomes both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students from across the district and more than 90% of its students are of Indigenous heritage. The school’s population reflects the urban Indigenous population of Vancouver which draws from a rich variety of cultures from across Turtle Island.
In 2017, the school formally known as Sir William Macdonald Elementary, was renamed to χpey̓ Elementary to honour the local Indigenous communities. Its name means “cedar” in the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language. The school celebrates its unique status as an Indigenous Focus Choice School in the Vancouver School Board. The grounds of χpey̓ Elementary also feature a before and afterschool daycare.
The teachers and school staff work incredibly hard to foster academic excellence, strength of self, and pride in Indigenous ancestry and teachings.
Economic insecurity is one of the largest issues affecting the needs of χpey̓’s children and their families. As a result, some of its students face problems around regular access to food and often come to school without having eaten breakfast. As we all know, food is essential to a child’s physical and mental development. Not only does it provide the fuel for growth, it gives us the energy we need to get through the day. Hunger can prevent children from concentrating in class and stop them reaching their full potential.
Fundraising for the Fresh Plate program is now underway and the money raised will go towards helping the students of to χpey̓ Elementary. In keeping with Fresh Plate’s core principles, the program is available to any child who wants to take part, regardless of finances.
Our fundraising journey began with a very generous donation totaling $50,000 from the Johns Family and $10,000 from Canaccord Genuity, a financial services company in Vancouver.
Fresh Plate co-founder Andrew Johns expressed his excitement of launching Fresh Plate’s first ever meal program. “It’s a sad fact that a lot of our young people across Canada face issues of food insecurity. For some children, school meals may be the only ones they get in a day.”
“With Fresh Plate, we saw an opportunity to do something that would make a real difference in everyday children’s lives, and to support teachers in the excellent work that they do.”
Fresh Plate hopes to expand its program into other schools. Your donations can help us to achieve this goal and help more children start the day with a tasty and nutritious breakfast. To donate now, click here, or see our Donation Page for more information. All donors will receive a tax receipt.