Burnett has seen a large uptake in the number of students and families accessing community and school support for food. The School District has made several options available to families through the schools. Some of these options are:

A Community Fridge – this fridge is supplied with fresh fruit, protein (hard boiled eggs, cheese strings and yogurt) and grab ‘n go snacks (protein bars, granola bars, trail mix). The fridge was recently added to the hallway just outside the counseling office. The uptake in the use of this fridge has been positive. Students access the food provided at all times throughout the school day. The food appears to be popular and the fridge is often empty, waiting to be re-stocked at the end of the school day.

Student Lunch Program – in collaboration with the School District, a group of volunteers makes and delivers sandwiches daily to the school office. These sandwiches, along with a sampling of the food provided in the community fridge, are used to put together lunches for approximately 20 students in need to pick up daily.

BC Fruit and Vegetable Program (BCFVP) – Burnett was once again a recipient of the BCFVP this year. The delivery of fresh fruit and vegetables was received by the school 11 times this year. The Fruit & Veggie club makes this fresh snack available to all students on delivery day. Any remaining produce is used to stock the community fridge and, again, is available to all students.

Grocery Hampers – Burnett has a number of families who are able to access the weekly. St. Albans Reaching Home Hampers. For the families unable to make their way to St. Albans to pick up their hampers, several hampers are delivered to the school each week to store for families to either pick up at the school or be dropped off at their homes.

Grocery Gift Card – There are many Burnett families who have been able to make use of the School District coordinated, grocery gift card distribution. These gift cards are picked up at the school 3 times a year, Winter Break, Spring Break and Summer Break. These are the times when the school food support takes a pause.

Burnett School is thankful to the coordinated efforts with the school district, the food bank, St. Alban's, and the volunteers who make all of these food security programs accessible in our school. Due to the increasing need recognized, we will be asking to increase the amount of food available to students at school next year.