Adopt-A-School: Meet the ever-growing plight of B.C. schoolchildren

These requests are likely beyond Adopt-A-School’s ability to meet in full.

This year, more than 300 schools are asking for $2.6 million, of which $750,000 is needed for grocery cards and food to go home.

However, the program’s first responsibility is to provide in-school food for children relying on breakfast and lunch for what might be their only substantial meals of the day.

The provincial government’s feeding futures program, launched in 2023, and the federal government’s national school food program that started a year later are welcome. But together they do not provide sufficient food to feed every hungry child in B.C.

Hence, the continued requests for Adopt-A-School’s help.

Next comes requests for clothes to replace ragged garments, a lack of coats, and the disintegrated shoes that some students are wearing.

Then there are funds needed for unforeseen emergencies that teachers have no other means of alleviating except through Adopt-A-School funds.

Lastly comes the requests to provide grocery cards to feed children going home to the certainty they won’t be fed dinner or breakfast the next morning, or a meal over the weekend.

It’s a need the program wants to meet, but it will require an increase in donations to be able to do so.

There is a depressing uniformity to what schools are reporting.

“Classes fall apart without food to give to students,” says one Metro Vancouver teacher.

“Many of our families are living in low-income states,” says another. “Students often come to school hungry and go home to empty cupboards.”

The number of parents seeking help is “mind boggling,” says another.

Others spoke of families formerly able to survive on their wages now falling into poverty and needing help.

Two women employed by different school districts — with university degrees, being paid union wages, and who have benefits — said if they were single mothers without the income of their husbands, they would be seeking help from Adopt-A-School.

What chance does a single mom on social assistance or working a low-wage job have to keep her children fed?

One bright spot this year was a commitment from the Sedin Family Foundation to kick off our 2026 campaign by staging a fundraising race in September between the brothers up Grouse Mountain. The Sedin Family Foundation gave $85,000 to support Adopt-A-School’s campaign this year.

In the past, Sun readers and generous donors such as Order of Canada recipient David McCann and foundations such as the Lohn Foundation administered by lawyer Jack Kowarsky and corporate donors such as PCI Developments have enabled Adopt-A-School to meet most schools’ requests.

“We will try our best to provide funds necessary to protect the welfare of children and keep them fed and clothed,” said Harold Munro, editor-in-chief of The Vancouver Sun and chair of The Vancouver Sun Children’s Fund board which administers Adopt-A-School.

“The need for at-home food has added an unexpected element to what’s necessary to keep some children fed. But we will need the continued support of our generous readers to do this,” said Munro.

“I want to emphasize that none of the money donated to Adopt-A-School is spent on administration costs. Every penny goes to schools.

“No right-minded person wants to leave children hungry or ill-dressed. So please, if you can, consider helping us.”

gbellett@gmail.com

1. ONLINE: Donate online with a credit card at www.vansunkidsfund.ca

2. PHONE: To pay by credit card, call 604-813-8673.