RICHMOND—CUPE Local 716, representing K-12 support staff in School District 38, is supporting the Richmond Food Program and the district’s program Feed-U-Cate-38 that provide food for families in Richmond with a $547 donation. CUPE 716 President Ian Hillman will make the donation at Richmond Secondary School (7171 Minoru Blvd) on Friday, April 17 at noon.

SD38 has been providing food support for families in need by providing children nutritious breakfast and lunch in schools during the year. This year, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and suspension of in-class learning, SD38 began delivering food to their families on April 8. The donation will also help with SD38’s Feed-U-Cate-38 program that has provided grants to schools to buy food for students since 2012.

“This year we wanted to do a little more because of the pressing needs in the community caused by the pandemic,” said Hillman. “Our district’s program is important to students and families and we are pleased to support it.”

CUPE members who are involved include the grounds crew who pick up food from the food bank and a number of grocery stores, education assistants who receive the food and prepare bags for delivery, custodians who are sanitizing work areas, and members from the transportation department who are helping distribute hampers.

The local usually donates funds raised at their Christmas party to the Feed-U-Cate-38 Program but this year decided to donate additional funds.

(Accompanying photo from left to right: Ian Hillman – CUPE Local 716 President, Ken Hamaguchi – Richmond School District Board Chair, Stacey Robinson – CUPE Local 716 First Vice-President)