Caleb Nickerson
SHAWVILLE Sept. 6, 2017
A recent donation to Dr. S.E. McDowell Elementary in Shawville will help children focus on learning and not on their growling stomach.
Last Wednesday, the Gatineau branch of Farm Credit Canada (FCC), a financial institution and crown corporation that offers services directed at farmers, donated $1,000 to the school’s snack breakfast program.

FCC representative Marie-Josée Cardinal explained that each of the organizations 100 offices across Canada gave $1,000 to the school program of their choice. She added that the Gatineau office chose Dr. S.E. McDowell because their breakfast program was just getting off the ground, having been established last year.
“If you’re not well fed, you can’t learn properly,” she said.
Principal Anne Valcov was pleased to receive the donation and said the program addresses a growing need for healthy food options for students.
“There’s a number of reasons why children aren’t eating [in the morning],” she said, explaining that she conducted a student survey before starting the program last year, to gauge interest. “The need is growing.”
According to Valcov, the breakfast program takes place before class in the school’s library and feeds about a dozen children. In addition, bowls of fruit and granola bars have been made available in all of the school’s 15 classrooms so students have healthy options for snacks throughout the day.
Valcov estimated the program costs just over $300 per month but the local community has stepped up to help.
“It’s been overwhelming, the support we’ve had,” she said, noting that Joanne’s Valu-mart has supplied all the food at a reduced rate. “We feel so blessed.”