ST. PAUL - A new initiative put forward by the St. Paul Diocese will help ensure children who attend schools within St. Paul Education do not go hungry.
The program, Mary's Table, is being made possible thanks to a $5,000 donation from the Catholic diocese. The funds are meant to help provide children most in need with a meal every Monday.
While all schools have breakfast programs, and efforts are made to provide children with food if they do not have anything at school, the newly announced initiative will help supplement those efforts, heard the board of trustees at the Dec. 8 meeting.
According to information from the school division, when Bishop Paul Terrio heard about students coming to school hungry, he wanted to do something to help.
“According to the Catholic faith tradition, in the Christmas season we prepare to welcome the birthday of the Child Jesus. We think of how his Mother, Mary, was also preparing to provide for him, to make sure that he would be fed and healthy. So with the name, Mary's Table, the Diocese of St Paul wants to team up with St. Paul Education to begin to offer meals during the winter months," said the bishop.
Meals are provided to students in a discrete and appropriate way, heard the board.
"We get our counsellors involved. We get our teachers involved," explained superintendent Glen Brodziak.
He confirmed that all schools will benefit from the program, which he described as "a wonderful gesture."
More information on the program is expected in January.
