A food-security program called The Hub is adding fresh produce to its free offerings for families of Central Elementary School.
Central principal Donna Arnold says The Hub has been providing a 鈥渂arrier-free access zone鈥� for 140 Central families to pick up food, hygiene products, as well as community connection and referrals.
Parents can stop by for some fresh broccoli and apples, frozen soup, and a box of Kraft Dinner for example, and head home with their kids.
New Hub partners that have recently come on board include, Produce Gone Wild, and The Book Man, which are joining existing partners, like Chilliwack Bowls of Hope and the Starfish Backpack Program.
鈥淪o now we鈥檙e able to offer fresh produce, and it鈥檚 going to mean a lot to our families,鈥� Arnold said.
鈥淚f we can provide those things at no cost to families, and with no judgement, it just helps their dollar go a little bit further to support their families.鈥�
The Hub was launched inside the school in 2023 with basic pantry items, and has grown from there.
鈥淲e just wanted to provide them with a one-stop shop,鈥� Arnold said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e already coming for their kiddos. Why not come and grab whatever else they need from here?鈥�
The latest Hub partners, along with a full-sized fridge donated by the Dogwood Monarch Lions, are ramping up what they can accomplish together in terms of inflation-busting support to Central families, with added nutritional value.
The Book Man owner Amber Price stressed that fresh fruits and vegetables 鈥渁re integral鈥� to our health and well-being.
鈥淏ut with rising costs of living they can be difficult to afford,鈥� Price said, adding that the local business 鈥渋s choosing to transmute their holiday season profits into helping to create positive change at Central Elementary.鈥�
Central Elementary parent Jessica Redhead said being able to shop for groceries at no cost is a 鈥渉uge鈥� help to her family.
鈥淚t鈥檚 great to have this because my little one loves her fresh veggies, and it鈥檚 always hard because I live on disability and child tax,鈥� she said.
鈥淪o this helps a huge amount, especially with the price of groceries nowadays.鈥�
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