Hope church helps keep students fueled for school

Shannon LeClair

Times Reporter

 

Studies have proven time and again that breakfast is an essential part of everyone’s day, especially for school-aged children to be able to learn at their maximum potential. 

This will be the second full school year that Hope Covenant Community Church has provided breakfast to five schools in Strathmore through the School Fuel program. 

“I don’t know if our church approached the schools, or if the schools approached our church… saying that some kids are having a hard time concentrating and just doing well because they are hungry and so they asked if perhaps we could provide breakfast,” said Lynn Wahl, one of the volunteers from the church. 

Every morning from 8:15 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. volunteers can be found at Westmount Elementary, Brentwood Elementary and Wheatland Elementary, serving breakfast to the students. They also provide food to Crowther Memorial Junior High and the anchor program.

“In March and April we were feeding about 200 per day (between all of the schools),” said Wahl. 

“As long as kids need it, it’s a privilege to provide it. So hopefully we’ll be there for them.”

One way the program has been able to keep running is through donations and corporate support. Hope Church also received a grant from the United Way this year to purchase necessary supplies, and one of the biggest supporters is Sobeys.

“It’s a good community initiative which started in the grassroots. I give total respect and credit to the people that have started this program,” said Neil Kennedy, owner of Strathmore Sobeys.

“They saw a need in the community and instead of wondering why no one else would fill it, they went out to fill it themselves. Obviously with it being a breakfast program, it falls right in line with my major business, so it seems like a natural fit for us to support them however we can.”

Breakfast usually consists of apples, muffins and cheese, though Wahl said people could donate flour or whatever they would feel like. To find out how to help with the School Fuel program either go to or contact the Hope Covenant Community Church at 403-934-2424.