Growing hunger in Waterloo Region schools signals toughest year yet

Nutrition for Learning is projecting this school year will be its most challenging yet, as more students in Waterloo Region arrive at school hungry.

Chief executive officer Erin Moraghan said the pressures of the affordability crisis and a growing community are leaving many families struggling to put food on the table.

Founded in 1997, the organization supports student nutrition programs across Waterloo Region in all four publicly funded school boards.

“We’re continuing to see food insecurity climb,” Moraghan said. “The affordability crisis is just really creating a lot of stressors on families … we’re just seeing such an increased need for our programs.”

Cambridge, which doubled its contribution this year to $30,000, remains the only city in the region providing direct funding.

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