In the small community of Tara, students in grade 2/3 at Arran-Tara Elementary School and taught by Barb Gordon are learning how to make a difference.
The Bluewater students’ outstanding submission was among nine selected in the 2025 CBC School Challenge as part of the ‘Make the Season Kind’ campaign across the Province.
This year’s challenge had the Daily Bread Food Bank, Feed Ontario, CBC, and food banks across the province partnering in collaboration with the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario.
“Students explored the topics of poverty, social justice, and the impact of food insecurity on their local communities through lesson plans, activities, and a culminating project.”
As part of the challenge, stories and videos were provided to the class to promote rich conversation and thinking. Students wanted to do more and engaged in some brainstorming to find ways to reach their school, families, community, surrounding communities, as well as the world. Their first project was the creation of a video to see how far it would travel.
The project was to help students connect curriculum to real community issues that they can see and understand and to develop empathy while building critical-thinking skills.
Year two of the CBC project was designed to spark even deeper conversations about food security, community care, and social action.
Student Highlights
Fairness does not mean everyone gets the same
Food is something everyone deserves
Full tummies, ready minds
Good food, good mood!
Hope takes teamwork
Hunger is not a one size fits all
Hungry kids can’t learn
In our school and on our street, let’s make sure everyone has enough to eat
Tara area food bank
The Tara area Food Bank is open Wednesdays from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. at the Tara Anglican Church and does not turn anyone away. People can go in and ‘shop’ and there are also clothes for those who may need a little something extra. Whether it’s food items or household cleaning to baby items, families in need are given a helping hand.
The Food Bank has full charity status and has been supported for several years by volunteers and with financial assistance that include Bruce Power and unions such as the Power Workers Union (PWU). While donations of food and clothing are always welcome, gift cards and financial donations enable the Food Bank to shop in bulk. As a charity, those who donate can receive a tax receipt upon request.
