Emergency Fund and Food Program  $5,000

Guildford Park Secondary is a designated high needs inner city schools in Surrey. With an enrolment of more than 1350 students in grades 8-12, 30% of our families are defined as low income, 32% are single parent, and 50% have moved into or out of the neighbourhood in the last five years. 40% of our students are learning English as a Second Language and 12% are Special Needs.

Many students at Guildford Park Secondary face daily and complex challenges – lack of food, no transportation, living alone and with no consistent home base, inability to cover extra costs like school supplies, extra-curricular activities or school social events. Two school counsellors at both sites will use the Emergency Fund to cover emergency costs for food, clothes, transportation school supplies and extra-curricular costs when there is no other way to provide these items to students. In addition, a portion of the funds will go towards the purchase of food to support the breakfast/snack program at Guildford Park Secondary.

Providing these basics and daily nutritious meals will ensure that students stay connected to school, and are able to stay focused on learning and graduating.