Numerous charitable organizations report that in Alberta, many children are experiencing food insecurity as thousands are no longer able to access school meal programs due to an ongoing teachers strike across the province, now in its eighth day.
Jared Jorstad, a spokesperson for Hope Mission, shared a concerning story about a family where the mother went without food for days to ensure her children were fed during the strike. The organization has been assisting families in need, including this particular case.
With 51,000 teachers on strike since October 6, approximately 750,000 students are currently out of school, leading to the closure of around 2,500 schools and their associated meal services. According to Jorstad, school meal programs are crucial for families facing financial challenges due to the high cost of living.
Hope Mission has collaborated with five Catholic schools in Edmonton to distribute paper bag lunches to students in need. About 200 to 250 students have been receiving these meals daily since the strike began, as support staff continue to provide this essential service.
The strike by members of the Alberta Teachers’ Association marks the largest walkout in the province’s history, with key issues in the negotiation process revolving around salary increases, classroom overcrowding, and support for students with special needs.
The rejection of a government offer last month, which included a 12% pay raise over four years and the commitment to hire 3,000 additional teachers, has further fueled the ongoing dispute. Organizations like the Mustard Seed in Red Deer have significantly scaled back their meal production due to the strike, leaving many students without access to daily meals.
Laura Giesbrecht, a spokesperson for the Mustard Seed, expressed deep concern over the well-being of students who may now be lacking regular meals. Efforts are being made to spread awareness about available meal services, with partnerships established to ensure children in need continue to receive nourishing meals.
The Breakfast Club of Canada, which serves nearly 40,000 students in approximately 300 Alberta schools, emphasizes the importance of school meal programs for student well-being and hopes for a swift resolution to the ongoing labor dispute between teachers and the government.