People who parked in Picton fed the meters to help feed students

Kellie Brace and Jenn Barrett receive Feed the Meter funds from Mayor Steve Ferguson and council on behalf of those who made contributions made to parking meters while parking was free of charge in Dec. 2023 in Picton.

People who parked in Picton free of charge during December 2023, donated $3,253 to the Feed the Meter fundraising campaign to help school food programs.

Members of the Hastings Prince Edward Learning Foundation received the funds from County council at its meeting Tuesday night.

Mayor Steve Ferguson noted that over 2023, there were 543 students who accessed the Food for Learning support on a daily basis, and in the County, more than 110,000 meals and snacks were provided to students.

Last year’s 15th Feed the Meter campaign raised more than $44,000 through programs set up in Picton and Belleville. The campaign also saw first-time voluntary road tolls in Trenton, Picton and at the Quinte Mall.

“This is an incredible accomplishment as the goal for the campaign was $25,000, said Resource Development Coordinator, Jenn Barrett. “Having access to healthy, nutritious food is essential to students’ success and we are so proud to be a part of the work that is accomplished by school staff and volunteers in the Food for Learning program to help ensure over 7,000 local students are fed at school each day.”