Launch Pad Youth Activity and Technology Centre (Launch Pad) recently started offering a free hot meal program on Wednesday Nights for youth 12 – 18 beginning the first week of October.  Youth in Launch Pad’s Intermediate Cooking Program learn to cook under a professional chef, and while they are learning and adding new skills to their resume, they are preparing enough food to feed other youth.  Dinner is served at 6PM where everyone sits down together to eat.

“Launch Pad has a beautiful health inspected kitchen, the capacity to host dinner events, and youth wanting to learn to cook.  With all the infrastructure currently in place, it had been a hope of mine for a while to start a hot meal program” explains Emily Morrison, Executive Director at Launch Pad.  “I am thankful to the MAZON Canada Foundation for giving the dream a kick start.”

The MAZON Canada Foundation, with headquarters in Toronto, supports front-line food projects across the Country on behalf of their Jewish community, impacting both Jewish and non-Jewish Canadians in need.  Once the initial funding was secured, the Bruce County Beef Producers also stepped up to provide $200 worth of locally produced Bruce County Beef.

Since the program started in October, Launch Pad has been offering meals to approximately 15 youth per week and there is capacity to expand.  All youth 12-18 are welcome to attend if they would benefit from the social or nutritional aspect of the hot meal program.

There are also other opportunities for youth in Hanover that may need another meal during the week.  Tuesdays from 12 – 2 PM The Deck in Hanover offers youth 16 – 24 a free lunch in partnership with YMCA.

The Hot Meal Program at Launch Pad will continue until Wednesday December 20th and it is with great hope that the program will continue in the New Year with sponsorship and support from the local community.

Launch Pad is open Tuesday to Friday 3:30 – 8:00 PM for youth 12 to 18 years of age and offers after school/evening programming focused on skills based learning in addition to a youth drop-in space.  Launch Pad also offers full day programs throughout the summer months with registration for Winter 2020 programs soon to be open.   For more information, or for a tour of Launch Pad, check out our website at www.yatc.ca or call 519-506-6300.