Ben Calf Robe School Nurtures Bodies and Minds with Nutrition Program

Ben Calf Robe School (BCR) in Edmonton, Alberta, serves over 450 students, most of whom are Indigenous.

The school offers an educational experience deeply rooted in Indigenous culture and ways of knowing, and healing and reconciliation are part of the daily experience for students. 

In order for students to be able to learn, it is important that they are well nourished. Many families in the school community face food insecurities, with students arriving at school hungry. To support students and their families, BCR offers a nutrition program that provides all students with breakfasts, lunches, and snacks throughout the week. The program also includes after-school snacks and suppers for students who participate in extra-curricular activities. In addition, the school delivers weekly food hampers to families in need throughout the year. 

While the school receives generous in-kind donations to support its nutrition program, the demand often exceeds the available resources. To bridge this gap, a grant from the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) will allow BCR to purchase much needed items and sustain its support for the community.

Beyond addressing hunger, the nutrition program builds equity between students and helps build bridges between families and the school. It allows all students to fully participate in BCR’s Indigenous culture and language programming and know the school as a safe place.

Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton