Thanks to the massive success of their school lunch program, The Mustard Seed in Red Deer is expanding that program for the summer.

Fund Development Officer Scott Tilbury says for some kids, the school lunch program was their first meal of the day, and the loss of that resource during the summer months can have a major impact on their health and wellness.

“Summer break is exciting but there is a greater need in the summer for students struggling with poverty. They do not have the connections with the students in the school, many reach out to students for assistance, and the school is not there to provide the nourishment that many schools are suited to do, and they are not there to help them.”

Tilbury says the generosity of the community has made this expansion possible, as well as other exciting opportunities for these kids, such as the chance to attend one of two summer cooking camps they are hosting this year.

“We’ll teach them there about nutrition, basic culinary skills, table etiquette, food presentation, cooking fundamentals, be lots of games and transportation will be provided. If we can teach children how to make a lunch or what is in a nutritious lunch, we empower them on their own to identify what is healthy through the summer months, and through their lifetime.”

Tilbury says they are still working with different Red Deer schools to establish the best way to get the lunches to the students in need over the summer months.