Feed the Meter is back in the Quinte area this holiday season

By Alex Mahar

BELLEVILLE – The 11th annual Feed the Meter campaign is back in Hastings and Prince Edward counties.

For the month of December, parking will be free in downtown Belleville, Trenton and Picton. Feeding the meter is an optional donation, with all the proceeds going to support Food for Learning’s student nutrition programs at area schools.

Food for Learning aims to ensure that all students have daily access to breakfast, lunch and snacks while at school. According to a news release from Food for Learning, students arrive at school hungry for a variety of reasons: poverty, rushed mornings and long bus rides.

In the last school year, more than 1.1 million meals and snacks were provided within Hastings and Prince Edward schools through the program.

This year, the goal is to raise $40,000 through Feed the Meter.

The campaign officially kicks off Tuesday at 5 p.m. with a community dinner at the Greek Banquet Hall in Belleville.