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Chantelle Lembicz, customer relations manager at Lacombe Ford, presents Trish Pfeifer, school social worker and members of the Iron Ridge Junior Campus Leadership Council, Christian Boucher, Mercedes McCauley, Gemma Gould and Alyssa Dragonetti (left to right) a cheque for $750. The donation from the dealership will be used for the school’s breakfast and lunch program and to help provide students healthy foods whenever they need them. (Photo by Megan Roth/Lacombe Ford)
Community Support

Lacombe Ford donates to Nutrition and Breakfast Programs at Blackfalds Schools

Oct 27, 2022 | 4:33 PM

Blackfalds students stand to benefit following a donation from a local business this week aimed at improving access to healthy food.

On Oct. 24, 2022, Lacombe Ford donated $1,500 to Iron Ridge Junior Campus and Iron Ridge Intermediate Campus to give students access to healthy food.

Officials say both Iron Campuses in Blackfalds have been running in-school nutrition programs to ensure students have access to healthy food. The programs are said to be slightly different at each school, but both offer breakfast and lunch options throughout the week.

At Iron Ridge Intermediate Campus a fresh fruit bowl is available in all classrooms as part of the program, to allow any child a snack when they need it.

Chantelle Lembicz, centre, presents a cheque for $750 to Principal Lacey Elliott, right, and Jill Pearson from Lacombe Ford. The donation from the dealership will be used to provide for Iron Ridge Intermediate Campus’ nutrition program. (Photo by Megan Roth/Lacombe Ford)

Darren Gagnon, owner of Lacombe Ford noted, “Lacombe Ford is honoured to be able to support such a great program. We have always tried to focus giving back to kids and families, and this definitely fits the bill. Our team is thankful for the volunteers that run this program to help so many when it is needed. And we are thankful to be part of the great community we are proud to serve.”

Nicole Rawlinson, principal of Iron Ridge Junior Campus, said, “We are seeing more and more of kids coming in and needing something to supplement what they may or may not have already. And also, we find too there is a connection, obviously, between their ability to focus in class and when they have some food in their belly.” She added, “Finding out about this donation, just absolutely made my day…thank you doesn’t say enough. These are such important connections that we have in our community – for the kids in our school and the families in our community. I hope that the community at large is aware of the generous contributions of places like Lacombe Ford.”

Lacey Elliott, principal of Iron Ridge Intermediate Campus, noted the importance of the donations by saying, “We have found that our nutrition program is being highly utilized by kids all over the building, and for various reasons. And obviously, the cost of food and groceries, and everything has gone up so significantly, and the need here for food for kids seems to rise. We are just so, so grateful that others see the significant need and a purpose in getting involved in such a meaningful way.”