Inverness County, local groups help residents dealing with food insecurity

A new partnership between several groups will help families in Cape Breton's Inverness County whoare struggling to get food on the table during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Municipality of the County of Inverness, Seaside Communications and Strait Area Centre for Education's SchoolsPlus program are providing the means for vulnerable families to get food.

Through the SchoolsPlus Program, students will be able to getmeals during what the CAO of Inverness County calls "uncertain times."

Keith MacDonald saidmany students rely on breakfast programs or other food services through schools, which have been shut downuntil at least May 1.

Through thecollaboration, MacDonald said volunteers will be able to distribute upwards of 130 food hampers to families throughout the county. Schools participating in the SchoolsPlus program include:

• Whycocomagh Education Centre.
• Cape Breton Highlands Education Centre in Terre Noire..
• Inverness Education Centre.
• Bayview Education Centre in Port Hood.

"This is just an additional step to the great deal of work that is happening and being led by amazing residents in the county," MacDonald said.

This will not only help students, according to MacDonald. Food has also been distributed to food banks through the county through the collaborative effort.

The food hampers will be delivered with helpof Strait Area Transit.