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That is why he is asking The Vancouver Sun’s Adopt-A-School program for $11,000 so he can buy food and clothing and groceries for a number of families in need of help.
It will also allow him to expand the school’s meal program so that a hot breakfast or lunch will be available every day instead of just a few days a week.
But with the restrictions on non-staff entering schools, the food will have to be prepared off-site in commercial kitchens then brought in because no volunteers can enter the building, says Lekakis.
COVID has added to the pressure to step up the help as some local businesses have closed, causing unemployment in the community.
“My worry is more families are becoming affected by job losses. We’re a tourism town, and tourism is down because of COVID. That’s bad because that industry employs a lot of our parents.
“And we are noticing kids coming to school hungry and not bringing lunches. So with help from Adopt-A-School, we will be able to offer meals five days a week,” he said.
He adds what every teacher in the province would say given the circumstances.
“When kids can’t have their basic needs met — food and shelter — it interferes with their ability to learn.”
In the spring, Adopt-A-School gave the school $5,000 so food could be delivered to students and families when schools were closed by COVID.
Some families have told Lekakis they are having a tough time making ends meet.
“With these funds, we could provide clothing, shoes, socks, underwear — basic necessities — and that’s important as we extend into the winter,” he said.
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