CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION TO HOLD FUNDRAISING FAST

ORGANIZERS AIM TO RAISE $50,000 FOR LOCAL STUDENTS AND FAMILIES

Fasting could lead to big changes for local children.

The Halton Catholic Children's Foundation (HCCF) has announced the start of their annual 24-Hour Fast to raise funds for Halton students and their families in need. Set for March 30, money raised through the event goes toward food, personal care items, clothing and other necessities.

This year's goal has been set at $50,000. James McInnis, the HCCF board chair, said the fast is a chance to make a difference locally.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to help our community," said McInnis. "This event motivates and brings together students, teachers, families and partners from across our Halton Catholic District School Board community to do something that really makes a difference for our community."

The HCCF is an independent charity that has partnered with the Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) to support their students and families in need. HCCF raises funds to help HCDSB students overcome financial barriers to learning, with the ultimate goal of helping these students succeed in school.

"This is our sixth year doing this annual peer-to-peer fundraising activity," said Marc Clare, executive director of the HCCF. "We have an ambitious fundraising goal, and with the community's support, we can meet it. As we've all felt in 2023 so far, the costs of living continue to rise and put an even greater strain on our families and students in need."

According to the HCCF, 8.2 per cent of Halton's community lives below the poverty line — and this number is higher within specific groups such as women at 8.6 per cent, visible minorities at 14.4 per cent, single mothers at 19 per cent and newcomers at 28.4 per cent.

Poverty can create an achievement gap between students from low-income households and their peers. In addition, social exclusion, shame, anger, stigma, low selfesteem, low confidence and loss of hope are all mental health issues related to student poverty.

A fast can include food, but also can be defined as fasting from social media, electronics or other technologies that are used on a regular basis.

Similar to a Walk-a-thon, community members taking part ask friends, family and colleagues to make a donation to help them reach their personal fundraising goal.

Anyone interested in registering or donating can do so at www.hccf.ca/24-hourfast.