MONTREAL- Adrian Bercovici graduated elementary school in the late 1940s but he still remembers how important a healthy and hot meal could be to get through a school day.

And so when Bercovici learned a few years back that some pupils were snoozing at school because they were running low on fuel, he launched his Generations Foundation and now, a dozen years later, the group feeds hot meals to 6,400 school kids.

And Bercovici makes sure that the grab is fresh, healthy and nutritious. 

"That may be their only hot meal of the day. So it's very important that we put down something that's very nutritious," says Bercovici, 73.

Bercovici launched himself headlong into a career in helping others after taking a retirement offer at age 53 from the Canadian National Railway.

He ran the Old Brewery Mission for eight years, helping the homeless before launching his Generations Foundation.

The Foundation started modestly since its inception in 1999 but has grown steadily and now feeds kids from 84 schools

The principal at one such school says the meals make all the difference.

"This program allows the students to have different meals in such a way where they experience different nutritional values," said Jim Daskalakis, Principal of St. Gabriel's School. "And it also allows a variety of food that the students enjoy."

Bercovici's wife Natalie, who has worn his ring for almost 50 years, is also involved in the effort and says her husband's enthusiasm and experience are key.

"Adrian is always involved in every aspect of Generations Foundation. So we're really blessed with his expertise and knowledge and caring," said Natalie Bercovici. "Plus we have received a tremendous amount of help from the schools."

Meanwhile Adrian Bercovici hopes that the meals he feeds now helps send kids down the right path.

He particularly hopes that none fall victim of the tragedy of homelessness which he has seen others suffer from close up.

 

"If we start with the kids and get them on the right track, they are going to succeed. That's the best way to solve homelessness," said Bercovici.