Delta firefighters are giving back to Delta youth one healthy snack at a time.
Last week, the Firefighters’ Charitable Society launched its new Healthy Snack Program in cooperation with the Delta School District in which the society purchases, organizes and then delivers snacks to designated schools.
The program is starting in North Delta at: Burnsview Secondary, North Delta Secondary, Chalmers Elementary, Jarvis Elementary, McCloskey Elementary and Hellings Elementary with the hopes of expanding the program further into South Delta schools in September.
Funding for this program is coming directly from Delta firefighters pay cheques as the society has a strong member payroll deduction program in which 93 per cent of the members donate every pay period.
“I'm so proud of Delta firefighters and the launch of this program,” said fire Chief Guy McIntuck. “Once again, they are finding a need within the community and coming together to fulfill that need. The fact that this program is being funded by members through the payroll deduction program and firefighters are volunteering to coordinate and deliver the snacks, this truly demonstrates how we can make a positive difference in our community.”
Warren Balzer, who is the program coordinator said he chose to help get the program going because of how important good nutrition is to learning and development.
“There was a great need for this program before the pandemic began but over the past year, the situation has amplified the number of children in need of nutritional support,” he said.
Kirsten Hermanson, District Manager - Prevention & School Wellness for Delta School District said this program is providing options for food during the day in which kids don't go hungry and are able to concentrate and learn.
“Snacks are provided for all the children who need them and one school is feeding about 40 children per day,” she added. “This snack program helps alleviate some financial stress for families and kids have easy access to snacks, there are no barriers as they can grab snacks whenever they feel hungry. This program also helps to build community relationships and the children get so excited when they see the fire trucks pull up to make the deliveries.”
In December 2020 Delta firefighters completed a three year, $100,000 commitment to the Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation in which they funded the radiography room in the new Toigo Diagnostics Services Building. Prior to that, they sponsored an accommodation suite, also valued at $100,000, at the BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund Centre building located in Vancouver, which supports Burn Survivors and trauma patients with free accommodation, while receiving treatment. All of these donations have been generated through the payroll deduction program.
“We are very proud of these contributions as it shows how much our members support the community in which we work, and where many of us live,” said Kristy Storey, society secretary. “With those two prior commitments made, we wanted to establish a new program in which there is a great need - ensuring school-aged children in Delta received proper nutrition.”
