Last week Rob and Jim Bletsky, local sales representatives for DuPont Pioneer, awarded $1,000 to each of the Canora schools – Canora Composite School and Canora Junior Elementary School – from the company’s Full Belly! Full Mind! grant grogram to help improve childhood nutrition.
As local sales representatives, Rob Bletsky and Jim Bletsky said they were happy to be able to provide opportunities like this to give back to their community and surrounding rural area. As part of a new initiative of DuPont Pioneer, Full Belly! Full Mind! supports school and community-based nutrition programs by making contributions to organizations on behalf of the business and employees. Consideration for outreach grants are given to communities where Pioneer sales representatives, employees and customers live and work and that support quality-of-life initiatives to create an improved, sustainable lifestyle for people worldwide.
Rob Bletsky endorsed a grant application from Canora Composite School for $1,000 to be applied to the CCS canteen. These funds will be able to help update some canteen equipment which has become outdated, and to refill supplies as needed. The canteen provides students an opportunity to learn basic life skills while providing all students with warm lunch options. The canteen also sells snacks and has frequent “toonie” sales. New equipment like slow cookers, cookie sheets, pots and all supplies can be replenished, allowing the canteen program to continue.
Jim Bletsky endorsed a similar grant application from Canora Junior Elementary School to be applied to the current breakfast program. CJES has a nutrition program in place that is based on the phrase “If you are at school and you are hungry, we will have something healthy for you to eat.” Toast and supplies are provided while students of grades three and four are trained to assist in preparing the toast and breakfast items. Funds will be used to purchase more food options including a peanut-free butter and replenishing supplies as needed. The school also keeps on hand items like apples, granola bars and fruit cups and students simply ask an adult to help them get something to eat. CJES also hosts a lunch warm-up program where parents volunteer to warm all lunches brought each day by students, along with operating a purchase program for chili, soup, milk and yogurts. Students can rely on the school to have healthy food options available.
