More families are struggling to make ends meet, which is why the Kamloops-Thompson School District took advantage of federal and provincial funding to take the pressure off parents and ensure students are well fed.

The district’s School Food Program aims to reduce the stigma about hungry students while coming up with creative ways to ensure they get enough to eat, said Cory Carmichael, district principal for safe and caring schools.

“A lot of schools work to identify students and families that might be struggling,” he said.

Depending on the school, staff can discretely provide pre-paid food programs or lunch cards for students to use. Other schools have incorporated snacks or hot-meal programs depending on students’ needs, the needs of the surrounding community, and the school’s infrastructure.

“Not all schools are created equal,” said Carmichael.

Now in its second year, the $2.2-million program operates with $1.2 million in provincial funding and a federal top up. The goal is to provide stable and consistent food options for students and to take the pressure off families struggling with increasingly rising costs, and not just at the grocery checkout.

In the two years Carmichael has been in his role, he’s noticed an increased need for food options in local schools. As an example, the district partners with the Kamloops Food Bank for the Starfish Backpack program, which provides packs of food for students and families. He said 275 backpacks are delivered every week, an increase from the 250 weekly deliveries the previous school year.

He does point out the food bank is also able to provide more backpacks for the 2025-2026 school term.

“But across the board there is a growing need in society. It’s no longer what we may have identified as a marginalized family or single-mom or single-dad family. We have working parents where every penny counts,” said Carmichael.

He’s heard from students and parents alike about how the program is taking the edge off families; whether it’s students having access to a bowl of fruit in a classroom or a mom or dad not having to worry about making lunch.

“People are grateful to have access to food and I think the more we normalize that for students it’s okay. Food is food. It’s going to help you have a better day at school, it’s going to help you have a better day after school,” he said.

In addition to in-school opportunity, the program — through community partnerships — can bring students to the food. For example, the district partners with the Boys and Girls Club who, through their Power Start outreach program, will pick students up in the morning, bring them to a clubhouse for a hot breakfast, then drop them off at school.

“This funding also helps support that program,” said Carmichael.

Schools access the funding by providing a proposal to Carmichael by May of the previous school year.