Sheridan’s Centre for Elder Research, Food for Life, and Community Development Halton came together to create the Putting Food on the Table Project. The project was created to help improve the well-being of individuals in community housing facing loneliness and social isolation during the pandemic, as well as, handling the nutritional needs of 700 older adults living in community housing.
Sheridan’s own Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance students created a digital cabaret performance that was included when the food was delivered. Sheridan Honours Bachelor of Craft and Design – Textiles students were asked by the projects team to sew face masks to go along with the food deliveries as well.
“As challenging as this pandemic has been on everyone, I see people coming together to try to create the type of world they want to live in. It’s beautiful.”
Dr. Leigh Hayden, the project’s principal investigator with Sheridan’s Centre for Elder Research
Blankets made by the community, cards made by local elementary students, non-food items from Sheridan, and protein which was secured by funding bolstered by the project’s robust survey data were all included in the deliveries.
“Those we serve have always been at the centre of all the decisions we make at Food for Life. Working alongside Sheridan College has allowed us to have a richer understanding of how to better support our neighbours, gleaning important feedback as we serve some of our most vulnerable in the community,” said Donna Slater the director of Impact at Food for Life.
“It has been a pleasure to work so closely with the Sheridan team. The students have shared their skills, enthusiasm and creativity through their demonstration and use of communication and design, research on nutrition and health and as active members on the project. The leadership from the faculty has been exemplary and we look forward to our continued partnership,” said Heather Thompson the director of Age-Friendly initiatives at CDH.
The project team will do a survey later in the spring to see the impact of the enhanced packages they delivered and find out what else needs to be done.