"FOOD FOR LEARNING" - ELIZABETH RUMMEL SCHOOL

We believe strongly in children. In 2004Good Earth contributed $2500 to support a successful lunch program that operates at a local grade school in Canmore, Alberta. 

Food For Learning came about after teachers and staff had noticed that a significant number of students were coming to school hungry and with inadequate lunches. In 2001 a group of dedicated and concerned volunteers launched this program to address the problem. 

The goal of Food For Learning is to provide hunger relief as well as nutrition. There is evidence that children from low-income households may require supplemental feeding assistance if their families are unable to provide adequate nutritious food. The provision of food at school may reduce health and social problems associated with inadequate dietary intake. Research has confirmed the connection between good nutrition and improved student academic performance and social behaviour. 

There is success! Teachers and staff have noticed that the students who receive lunches have greatly improved attendance rates. Several parents of students who receive the lunches have expressed their appreciation in knowing that their child is receiving milk, meat and fresh fruit daily, as they are not always able to provide those items for their children. All families who refer their children to the program are accepted. 

Good Earth is very proud to support this wonderful local initiative. To learn more about supporting the program yourself or starting a similar program in your own community, please contact Nancy Crosley (ncrosley@crps.ab.ca) at the Elizabeth Rummel School.

WOLF CONSERVATION & AWARENESS - WILDCANADA.NET ADVOCACY

Wolf mortality rates are exceedingly high in the Bow Valley corridor through which visitors travel on their way to Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise and beyond. Development has greatly reduced the habitat for many animals including large carnivores like wolves. Local wolf packs have been decimated (and in some cases completely wiped out) by vehicles and trains that cut through natural hunting grounds.

In 2004 Good Earth provided $2500 to raise awareness of human impacts on wolf populations throughout the Bow Valley and beyond. 

Wildcanada.net was a local Canmore-based organization that was heavily involved in creating on-line advocacy programs to raise the awareness of important environmental issues such as wolf mortality. Unfortunately, Wildcanada.net no longer exists, but the momentum continues with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.