Big Brothers Big Sisters - Connecting through food

Written By: Jeffery Zhu MPH (c) | Dietetic Intern at summerlunch+

Why do we eat?

As human beings, we eat because we are hungry. 

As a foodie, eating new foods brings me joy. 

As a first-generation immigrant, eating helps connect me to who I am.  

As a dietetic intern at summerlunch+, I saw how eating helps connect us to each other. 

Social distancing was one preventative measure during the COVID-19 pandemic. While it is quite easy to estimate 2 meters and socially distance ourselves, the distance brought on by social isolation as a result of the pandemic cannot be measured. For 3 years we were connected to everything virtually but we were also disconnected. This is especially true for school aged children.  

A study from The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) found that 70.2% of the parents of school-aged children surveyed reported deterioration in their kid’s mental health during the pandemic (1). 

In that same period, Mental Health Commission of Canada’s HEADSTRONG COVID-19 survey2 also found that 48% of youth respondents reported isolation and loneliness as the biggest challenge they faced during the pandemic (2).

To combat that, the summerlunch+ and Big Brothers Big Sisters Halton partnership started with the common goal to help school-aged participants develop food skills and build supportive connections. During the 8-week summerlunch+ at home program, participants are provided weekly activities and 3 recipes that are fun and nutritious. Weekly topics cover information such as food safety, and how to eat balanced meals and snacks. Every Thursday night, the summerlunch+ team comes together with participants and their family on Zoom where we cook 2 out of the 3 weekly recipes. This partnership allowed many participants who are on the BBBS waitlist to participate in the program and enjoy weekly time with others and their family. 

Having had years of online classes and previous experience of working with children remotely, my biggest fear was the silence that fills the call after I ask a question as I stare into the empty boxes with names. However, that was not the case. 

Participants were eagerly joining the Zoom call before the 5:30 p.m. start time while me and other team members conducted our final visual and audio checks. Once we started, participants were quick to share how their week is going as we checked in with them. As we cooked, many participants also turned their camera on so we can also see how they are progressing. Whenever there were questions, they were not hesitant to type in the chat or unmute to ask. Their proactivity made me feel more confident and comfortable as this was my first time cooking and talking in front of a camera. 

Although we are only together for a little over an hour every week, I saw how connections were formed through the program. As they are having fun cooking and interacting with us, they are also building a positive experience with food, and connecting with those around them. 

One participant who is lactose intolerant always shared the recipe adjustments they had to make and they were able to connect with a team member who has similar allergies and faces the same struggles. In the healthy snacking week, our team member shared her recipe for a homemade peanut and dairy free version of Reese’s which made the participant very excited to make it on their own. 

For participants, Thursday nights are a place where they can be themselves and proudly share their experiences with other people. 

Every week, the participants send us pictures of their cooking and tell us how much their family enjoyed the food. I have always been hesitant about sharing my cooking with others, but the program created a safe space for participants to share and express themselves. 

In a time where social isolation and loneliness is at an all-time high, summerlunch+ created an encouraging environment where families can come together through cooking and trying new foods. Because at the end of the day, the most delicious meals are the ones shared with those we feel connected to.    

Sources:
(1) https://www.sickkids.ca/en/news/archive/2021/impact-of-covid-19-pandemic-on-child-youth-mental-health/

(2) https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/wp-content/uploads/drupal/2021-02/lockdown_life_eng.pdf