Here Comes the Munch Cart

By Esther Hart

At 10:15 am on Wednesday, February 10, members of the Church of Truth - Community of Conscious Living watched with Ms Janice Matthews, principal of James Bay Community School as students Kaedon and Caitlyn walked toward them wheeling the "Munch Cart." Almost immediately a bell rang and students lined up at the cart to choose their snack. The choices included apples, wholesome granola bars and other nutritional snacks for 25 cents or an apple for free.

The Church of Truth - Community of Conscious Living is a local James Bay spiritual community which welcomes all, regardless of their spiritual/religious beliefs, who want to be supported in their own personal journey.

The members were on hand to make a contribution to the morning snack program which according to Matthews has become fondly known as the "Munch Cart."

When the spiritual community, which contributes regularly to Our Place, wanted to make a contribution to a worthy cause in the local James Bay area, they sent D. Joan Thomas to investigate. She recommended this snack program.

Matthews explained that while the ministry ensures that every child is supplied with lunch, there is no such program for children who come to school with little or no breakfast. Morning nutrition is important to assist the children's ability to concentrate and learn. Matthews was not sure when the program started but it was in place when she first came to James Bay Community School in 2001.

The morning snack program relies heavily on community contributions and was supported earlier this year by the Fisherman's Wharf Association.

Brian Martin, president of the board for the Church of Truth - Community of Conscious Living presented a cheque in the amount of $300.

Anyone interested in contributing to this program is invited to contact principal Janice Matthews at 250-384-7184.