Hungry student commuters to get free winter meals from
Canterbury church

Student commuters from Linwood College are no longer facing the bleak prospect of winter classes on empty stomachs.

A new community initiative launched on Monday (May 9) is making sure that Linwood College students are warm and nourished when they arrive for afternoon studies at Cashmere High School.

Lunches for Linwood is a new earthquake relief initiative with funding from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Fund. The initiative will ensure Linwood students enjoy free meals during a busy day of schooling, travel and a late return home.

The Linwood teenagers have been bussing to afternoon classes in Cashmere, since earthquake damage forced the closure of their College campus. Fortunately, the school will be returning to their College grounds in Term 3.

With winter approaching and additional economic stresses faced by many of the families, the concern was identified that numerous students were skipping breakfast and lunch before their extended journey to school.

An appeal for help from Linwood College was made to local National MP Nicky Wagner. Wagner who recently attended the community project Mormon Helping Hands connected the school with the Church.

At a staff briefing Linwood College Principal Margaret Paiti said that the initiative was, “an amazing outpouring of generosity from the Church”.
The staff responded appreciatively to the announcement with heartfelt applause.
“This new venture will not only assist families but will have fundamental health and learning benefits for our students”, Paiti said.

The donation from the Church of $50,000 will ensure healthy lunches are distributed free to all Linwood College Students during Term 2. There is a menu in place that includes filled rolls, fruit and muffins. The first meals are being served this week.

Non-teaching staff and students from Linwood College are involved with menu planning and serving food each day. Volunteers from the Church are also available to help.

Church Leader Maurice McDonald says Lunches for Linwood is an excellent example of different community groups coming together to support the people of Christchurch post-earthquake.

"While we continue to help our own Church members who have been affected by the earthquakes, we are also actively engaged in the community and assisting where we are able."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been actively involved in the Christchurch community supporting earthquake recovery, including substantial financial donations to the three Christchurch Mayoral funds, hundreds of volunteer hours, and the recent Mormon Helping Hands event at Linwood Playcentre and Nayan Woods' memorial garden (featured in The Press, pA3, 30/4/11).

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