Food insecurity in Muskoka is not slowing down, making the efforts of organizations like Food4Kids Muskoka even more vital in our community.
The not-for-profit is filling and distributing bags of healthy food to over 325 children every weekend throughout the school year.
But the need is greater than that. It is estimated that over 1,000 children in Muskoka (about one-in-four) have minimal or no access to food on weekends. The cost to feed a single child each weekend for a whole year – including the summer – is $1,000.
The message was not lost on the 500 people in attendance at the third annual Food4Kids Weekends Without Hunger Breakfast Gala at Deerhurst Resort on November 12.
It was a huge jump from their first ever fundraising breakfast gala, which saw 200 people attend in 2023. Last year there were around 300 attendees.
There were several children at the gala, including Jeremy, who had handmade bracelets to sell and raise money for the charity. He was selling them at the event and hoped to raise $700.
“When I think about kids who don’t have what I call the three ‘F’s, food, friends, and family,” said Jeremy, about why he started raising money to help.
Another young person, William, is volunteering his time to raise awareness with YouTube videos.
“I just want to help kids who can’t afford food,” he said.
Another child, Kate, who is a frequent summer visitor to the region, won a Summer Design Contest for her drawing of a Dragon with food around it. The drawing has helped draw attention to the organization’s cause.
Noticed a need
Teachers David and Sarah Thatcher said they witnessed the need firsthand. They noticed several children under their tutelage were desperately waiting for the breakfast program at their schools to open because they had not eaten all weekend.
This led Sarah to become a founding member of the registered charity in Muskoka, which also has sister Food4Kids organizations in five other regions. They receive no core funding, only relying on donations to do their work.
The team, along with the need, has grown as they attempt to tackle the issue with boots on the ground through fundraising and food distribution.
“The impact we are having on families is long-lasting and will continue on through the generations, whether we are here to see it or not,” said Sarah Thatcher.
One of their newest board members, Deborah Glendinning, was moved to help after learning about the need. She shared a story of being moved to tears when she understood the situations many families are facing, and they come from all walks of life, whether it’s a single mom, a two-parent household where one income was lost due to a layoff, or any other scenario.
“I came to understand there are many, many people in our community who are unaware of the need in our community,” she said. “I’m asking everyone to consider forgoing one gift, one extra dinner out, and taking that money and donating to our cause.”
Those wanting to support or learn more can visit: https://food4kidsmuskoka.ca
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