CARLYLE - The Southern Plains Co-op has made a commitment to support communities, and one of its recent focuses has been on the food and nutrition programs of its local schools.
The co-op says healthy, nourished children learn and achieve more.
Southern Plains Co-op brought the Carlyle Elementary School $3,000 in Co-op gift cards to help them fill the needs that continue to grow within the school systems province-wide.
Their food and nutrition programs include a daily breakfast, snack and lunch program that is offered to a number of students, ranging from 30-230 kids, at little to no cost to students.
The entire program is co-ordinated for both the elementary school and Gordon F. Kells High School by community education liaison Melanie Pauls, who puts in many hours ensuring the students not only have something to eat, but a safe and inviting atmosphere to enjoy as well.
The co-op says programs like this also take a village, as there are many volunteers that jump in to help prepare and serve meals, and without them, this program would not be as successful.
Funding and supports for this non-profit come from grants and donations to help subsidize the costs for students and all funding stays within the Nutrition Program.
