Fighting child hunger: Hungry to help Foundation and local restaurant Alpina unite
Tashi Farmilo
The Hungry to Help Foundation (Fondation Faim d’Aider in French), dedicated to addressing food insecurity among children, has partnered with Restaurant Alpina for a summer-long fundraising campaign that promises to make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable youth. From July 1 to September 2, patrons of Restaurant Alpina can order a special dish called the “Béné Faim d'Aider,” with $5 from each purchase directly supporting the foundation’s mission.
Founded in 2003 by Elena and Victor Mazzola, the Hungry to Help Foundation was inspired by a powerful observation: children perform better in school when they are not hungry. The Mazzolas, who also run a catering business serving local primary schools, noticed that a particular teacher was paying out of pocket to ensure students had meals. This teacher observed significant improvements in behaviour and concentration among students who received food. This revelation spurred the Mazzolas to establish the foundation, which has since provided over 23,000 healthy meals to 562 children across more than 50 schools in the region.
At the heart of the foundation’s work is the belief that no child should have to struggle to learn on an empty stomach. By providing nutritious meals, the foundation aims to not only alleviate immediate hunger but also support long-term academic and personal success. The partnership with Restaurant Alpina exemplifies this commitment. Each order of the “Béné Faim d'Aider” represents a direct contribution to feeding a child in need, turning a meal out into a meaningful act of kindness.
The impact of the Hungry to Help Foundation extends beyond numbers and statistics. While the foundation maintains the anonymity of its beneficiaries, the stories of transformation and hope are evident in the improved performance and well-being of the children they serve. Each meal provided is a step toward leveling the playing field for children who might otherwise be left behind. The foundation discreetly works with schools to identify children in need, ensuring they receive the same nutritious meals as their peers without stigma or embarrassment.
As the summer unfolds, the collaboration between Restaurant Alpina and the Hungry to Help Foundation serves as a reminder of what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared purpose. The campaign invites everyone to partake in this effort, transforming ordinary acts of dining into extraordinary acts of giving. By the end of the summer, the hope is that hundreds more children will have benefited from this initiative, their lives a little brighter and their futures a little more secure.
The Hungry to Help Foundation is always in need of donations and volunteers to sustain and expand their efforts. Community members can contribute financially through the foundation's website at hungrytohelp.ca or offer their time and skills to support various initiatives.
Photo caption: The Hungry to Help Foundation has partnered with Restaurant Alpina for a summer fundraising campaign, where $5 from each special dish ordered will support providing nutritious meals to food-insecure children, aiming to enhance their academic and personal success.
Photo credit: Tashi Farmilo
