The decade-old KidsCan charitable trust has been a godsend to Churton School and its families, says principal Andrew Spence.
Churton School has been part of the KidsCan programme since its beginning.
"The kids all love the raincoats and there is no stigma around who gets them because they all get one and they are proud to wear them," Mr Spence said.
"We don't have a breakfast programme and we target the assistance towards those children who need it most."
Mr Spence said the school has families who are struggling and not everyone is willing to ask for help, but KidsCan enables the school to direct assistance.
He said it ensures that children can come to school with dry clothes and warm feet and have enough to eat so that they have the best conditions for learning.
The trust helps by providing some schools with food and the weatherproof clothing. A recent survey of 245 of the 500 schools participating in KidsCan showed in the past 10 years food, raincoats, shoes and health programmes have had a measurable and beneficial impact on the lives of many children educated in lower decile schools.
Marton School is one of 30 schools on the KidsCan waiting list and chief executive and founder Julie Chapman said the organisation is calling on more caring Kiwis to support the programme.
Marton School principal Brya Dixon said the school has developed a number of initiatives to assist families and one is growing vegetables that are available to take home.
"We have planted an orchard as well but that will take a few years to start producing and New World sponsors a programme called Top Up Your Tummies that has been running for two years now," said Mrs Dixon.
School staff reported incidents of food being stolen from children's lunch boxes so rather than taking a punitive approach, the school set up the programme and since then, thefts have been very rare.
"One of our parents volunteered to run the programme and children are offered sandwiches, fruit and museli bars to get them through the day and we are also part of the Milk in Schools programme."
There are usually around 15-20 children who receive the lunch on a regular basis.
When the Chronicle visited the school, a group of young gardeners proudly showed off the raised garden beds where there are flourishing cabbages, broad beans, peas, leeks and potatoes.
Alaric Galbraith, 10, checks the bird-proof netting over the strawberries and points out some that are starting to ripen.
Mrs Dixon said being part of KidsCan would help to ensure that all children at Marton School have good jackets and footwear.
-KidsCan is calling on supporters to contribute $15 a month through its In Our Own Backyard programme which provides a child with food at school, a raincoat, shoes, socks and basic health and hygiene items. To find out more visit kidscan.org.nz or call 09 478 1525.