Every school day in the Pemberton Valley, children arrive at school carrying more than backpacks. Some arrive hungry causing fatigue, distraction, or difficulty settling into learning. Through Sea to Sky Community Services, the Pemberton Food Bank plays a central role in making sure children have access to the food they need to learn and thrive.
One of the ways this support shows up is through the community fridge at Signal Hill Elementary — a Sea to Sky School District initiative that the Pemberton Food Bank helps stock each week with snacks and meals. It’s a simple, low‑barrier model that ensures students can take a meal whenever they need one.
For the School Food Coordinator for the Sea to Sky School District, the impact is immediate. As she explains, “When children have the nourishment they need, they are able to focus on their studies and are ready to learn. They can more easily regulate themselves and connect with their peers.”
A fridge rooted in dignity and ḱúĺsum
The community fridge is available to all students — no sign‑up, no questions asked. Children are encouraged to practice ḱúĺsum, a teaching that means taking what you need so there is enough for everyone. This approach helps create a school environment where students feel safe accessing food without stigma.
For some children, the meal they receive at school may be the most substantial one they get in their day. The fridge also introduces students to new foods — from fresh lunches to Monday soups featuring vegetables like butternut squash.
How the Pemberton Food Bank strengthens school‑based food access
The Pemberton Food Bank prepares fresh snacks and meals helping to keep the fridge stocked. This work is part of SSCS’s broader commitment to food security in the region — a network of programs that includes school‑based food supports, summer snack packs through Food Banks Canada’s After the Bell program, food rescue and redistribution, partnerships with local growers, and year‑round access to nutritious food for families.
When school closes for summer, the School Food Coordinator sees how important continuity becomes. She notes that “programs like After the Bell ensure that family have the support they need to feed their children over the summer… making sure that students do not fall through the cracks and come back ready to learn in September.”
What families are facing — and why school food matters
Rising costs are putting pressure on families across the Pemberton Valley. Many are struggling with the affordability of fresh, nutrient‑dense foods. Some older youth are also caring for younger siblings, stretching limited resources even further.
School‑based food access helps fill these gaps by ensuring students have consistent access to healthy meals — something reflected in their confidence, participation, and ability to connect with peers.
As the School Food Coordinator puts it, “In the Pemberton Valley, food security is deeply connected to student well-being, belonging, and success.”
A broader picture of rising need
The challenges families face at school mirror what the Pemberton Food Bank is seeing across the community. As Manager of Community Outreach Services at Sea to Sky Community Services, Leda North explains, the cost of living has shifted dramatically in a short period of time. She has witnessed “food insecurity rise as the cost of food and housing has increased disproportionately to the average wage.”
Her perspective reinforces what is seen in classrooms: when families struggle to afford fresh, healthy food at home, school‑based supports become essential — not optional.
A community effort that grows stronger with support
The community fridge is one example of how SSCS’s food security programs work alongside partners to meet local needs. Behind every meal is a network of care — donors, volunteers, growers, school staff, and the Pemberton Food Bank working together to nourish children.
Your support helps ensure every child in the Pemberton Valley has food they can count on — in the classroom, at home, and throughout the summer. Donate today