On February 5, 2026, Smitty’s Home Hardware Building Centre announced an expansion of its partnership with the Renfrew County District School Board to provide increased funding for student meal programs in Renfrew, Ontario. The initiative is intended to help ensure students have access to healthy food amid rising grocery costs.
The expanded partnership shifts support from one-time fundraisers to a structured, multi-year funding model designed to provide a stable supply of fresh produce and dairy to elementary and secondary schools in the Renfrew cluster, helping to fill gaps left by provincial and federal funding.
Tyler Godin, co-owner of Smitty’s Home Hardware, has previously supported the RCDSB Student Support Fund. The store plans to raise money for the expanded program through direct corporate donations and a customer “round-up” program at checkout, and will also provide logistics support to help source and transport bulk non-perishable supplies for school pantries.
Local data from the Renfrew County and District Health Unit show food affordability pressures in the region, contributing to increased reliance on school nutrition programs. The store’s logistics support is scheduled to begin in Spring 2026.
While organizations such as Student Nutrition Ontario provide baseline support, local leaders say additional community contributions are needed. The initiative is focused on making sure children in the Renfrew area have the nutrition they need to learn.
