There’s only one criteria for the Salvation Army’s Tiny Bites program – to be hungry.
The Salvation Army realized that just because the school meal programs finished with the end of the school year, that didn’t necessarily mean children weren’t in need of a lunch.
“We realized when the breakfast program finished there was a gap for something to fill in for the kids,” Salvation Army Captain Deb Vanderheyden said.
She added they sent notices home with children, from the two schools they serve, before the school year ended.
This is the second year for the Tiny Bites program. Last year, lunch was served in the Riverview elementary school parking lot. This year they expanded to include Voyageur school.
Two Salvation Army volunteers dish out sandwiches, fruit, cookies, freezies and water from the back of the Salvation Army van to children at the two schools five days a week.
The lunch program is for children 12 and under, those too young to come to the soup kitchen.
Karl Berglund, along with various other volunteers depending on the day, drive first to Voyageur school and dispense their nutritious lunch between 11:40 a.m. – 12:10 p.m., then move on to Riverview school between 12:15 – 12:45 p.m.
“There’s kids all over the city who could do with a lunch and I imagine if we set up they would come,” Berlund said.
“We serve in the school catchment area, close to home – where the children are comfortable.”
Berlund said they welcome parents to drop by and check out the program.
“We won’t feed them, the food is for the children, but we appreciate they need to know whose feeding their children.”
There’s always two personnel at the school and Berglund said between the two schools they often feed up to 20 children.
“We want to feed them in a familiar environment,” Vanderheyden said.
“The children are comfortable with the crew and parents have expressed appreciation for the program.”
She was quick to give credit to the crew back at the centre who prepare the lunch including Lenore Damanko, Val Butler and Pat Klassen who put together the coolers filled with food, Monday to Friday.
“If we get more help, we’ll expand the program,” Vanderheyden said.
Berglund had nothing but praise for their lunchtime guests.
“The kids are polite and they’re great about picking up garage,” he said.
“For the most part they’re also kind to each other.”
Anyone wishing to volunteer with this or any Salvation Army program can drop by the Warrior Song Café on McLean Street or call 250-992-8784.