St. Nicholas School offers up Friday Feasts

St. Nicholas Junior High School in Edmonton has initiated a Free Feast Friday, a weekly program that provides invaluable fuel for students who may not be getting enough food at home.

Grade 9 student Sydney Perrin said she usually brings "a sandwich or something boring" for lunch, but she has friends at the school who normally don't have anything. "This is good for them," she said. Perrin said she looks forward to the free Friday lunch all week. "This helps in the afternoon and everybody gets to eat, and we're like a family eating together. It's a good school community," she said.

Through grant money from Breakfast for Learning, the school also offers free daily breakfast as well as fresh fruit at the office throughout the day.

Principal David Bauma says that every staff member pitches in to make sure they're fed.  Some staff buy the food, some cook the food, others prepare the food and then staff also serve the food.  Dave is particularly thankful for the additional support received through Breakfast for Learning.

The menu changes each week.  The students have so far enjoyed a Chinese stir fry meal, a meal of perogies and vegetables, and the first semester will conclude with a full turkey dinner on Dec. 18.