Feeding our kids, investing in our future

Fort Rouge

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/03/2024 (656 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Last month, I visited students at École Riverview School for I Love to Read Month. Together, we picked up one of my favourite reads, The Hockey Jersey, and cracked it open to the first page.

Every student I had the opportunity to interact with during my visit reflected the enthusiasm, intelligence and kindness I see in Manitoba students across the province. Reading and learning takes hard work and energy which the students at École Riverview School had in ample supply. Unfortunately, we’ve all seen how kids sometimes slip through the cracks and come to school without the food they need to learn.

As your provincial government, it’s our job to ensure no kid is left behind.

That is why we are following through on our promise to create a universally accessible school nutrition program so that no one goes hungry in class. It’s a powerful $30 million investment in K-12 students across Manitoba that will boost attendance, improve educational outcomes, and help lift families out of chronic food poverty.

Kids believe in that universal truth: every child matters. And so does our government. A universal nutrition program is helping us realize this vision for every child in Manitoba. As a province, we have a responsibility to support students both inside and outside of school, allowing them to flourish in their own way.

A universal nutrition program will ensure every kid has the food they need to grow into the innovative and thoughtful Manitobans of tomorrow.

Manitoba’s schools have always been leaders in high-quality learning. This meal program is another great step forward in showing the rest of Canada what we can accomplish for our kids. When we work together, we achieve success for our students, our families and our province.

This feeling has only been reaffirmed by my visits to schools here in Fort Rouge and around the province for I Love to Read Month. It’s clear now more than ever – Manitoba kids really do love to read, especially when we give them the right tools.

With meals in every school for every child, I am humbled to know even more kids in Fort Rouge will be able to discover their love for reading. Thank you to the many advocates, coordinators, and parents who have been providing nutritious food to fuel our next generation for years.

Now, your provincial government is stepping up to ensure that there will be food available in every school for every kid who needs it.

If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas for our Fort Rouge community, contact us at 204-615-1922 or email wab.kinew@yourmanitoba.ca