The holidays were merrier in Pond Inlet this year thanks to a major turkey hamper initiative at Ulaajuk Elementary School.

SA国际影视传媒淲hat had happened was we received the funding from the Qikiqtani Inuit Association School Food Program,SA国际影视传媒� said principal Sandra Rutledge, SA国际影视传媒渁nd I received a budget that I had to spend within a certain amount of time. We had wanted to open up a food bank at our school, or a giveaway, and I said to my staff, SA国际影视传媒楾his is the perfect time.SA国际影视传媒�

"We have really bad food insecurity going on right now in Pond Inlet... itSA国际影视传媒檚 worse right now for a variety of different reasons. Just people unable to work. WeSA国际影视传媒檝e got 24-hour darkness right now so a lot of mental health [problems] and depression... it is not good right now.SA国际影视传媒�

Rutledge spent $56,000 on 350 turkeys, hams, baked potatoes, boxes of stuffing, oranges and cans of vegetables through the Northern Store. She then spent an additional $45,000 on a food bank.

SA国际影视传媒淲e had the gym completely covered with food. Tables [were] set up, and they would walk to the different tables with different products on it,SA国际影视传媒� she said of the residents who came through the facility.

In addition to the food, items for baking and instruction booklets were available.

SA国际影视传媒淪o it was just a 360 of food, from breakfast, to lunch, to dinner, to snacks, to everything,SA国际影视传媒� said Rutledge.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was a lot of work. It took a whole plane to get all of the food up... we had a lunch at our school. All of the families and Elders came, and everyone got their turkey and ham, and then they could shop at our food bank, which was cereal, bread, canned vegetables, fruit SA国际影视传媒� everything you could think of. So it was just a really, really nice day.SA国际影视传媒�

In addition, the delivered food to those who couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 come in-person, including 24 turkeys to Elders, and SA国际影视传媒渁nything that was left over to the hamlet.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen the families arrived, they thought it would just be a little bag, and they were shocked that it was a large box, plus bags for them to take home. So the came and loaded the food into the back of their pickup trucks and drove it to their house,SA国际影视传媒� Rutledge said.

She described people SA国际影视传媒渏ust coming in in tears SA国际影视传媒� there was so much food for them. They have more than enough food... for over two weeks... every child [at the school] received a box of food.SA国际影视传媒�

This means that families with multiple children received more rations.

The principal would like to repeat the experience next year, although she's worried about the funding coming through for JordanSA国际影视传媒檚 Principle.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was such a hit, but I am worried about the funding... we have 307 students at Ulaajuk. We have a breakfast, lunch and snack program. On average, we have about 150 kids that eat out of our programs. We also make dinners to go for our kids. We know JordanSA国际影视传媒檚 Principle is ending. TheySA国际影视传媒檝e promised something else is coming out, but I am going to have to get funding from different places. But yes, I would like to do a food bank twice a year and the turkey drive once a year.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淚t was really a perfect day... our school needs a bit of uplifting. This really helped our staff. They felt good about themselves. It was really quite nice.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 tired. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 the last day of school, but ISA国际影视传媒檓 telling you it was well worth the amount of work,SA国际影视传媒� Rutledge concluded.