Back to School means back to School Breakfasts and Lunches. In fact, the largest provider of such programs, Breakfast Clubs of Canada says more kids than ever are missing the breakfast they need to learn on…
A typical School Breakfast…
I don’t know about you… But I’ve always assumed that Canada is – as it has been for much of its time as s nation – a ‘have’ culture. We help others a lot with social and cultural issues because we have so much to share. And the classic we’re natural givers – always one of the first to jump in and help ‘when famine or disaster strike’.
That may have been so at one time. But the Breakfast Club of Canada (BCC) – the nation’s largest school lunches provider – says it’s seen a whopping 20 percent increase in demand for community-provided at-school meals over the past 2 academic years. BCC estimates that today, nearly 2.5 million Canadian children live in food-insecure households, which represents a third of the total children in the country.
What this means
“Behind these numbers lies immense potential: talents, voices and dreams at risk due to a lack of access to nutritious food. Breakfast programs are not a universal solution to today’s challenges, but they remain a beneficial intervention for thousands of students throughout the school year,” says Tommy Kulczyk, President and CEO of Breakfast Club of Canada.
“Every child deserves an equal chance to succeed, no matter their circumstances,” he adds.
What they’re doing
“The surge in demand is putting immense pressure on schools and nonprofit organizations,” BCC says in a recent news release.
As a result, the organization has announced a major fundraising program in partnership with its tra-ditional and emerging public and private sector partners.
“We recognize the efforts and initiatives from all levels of government, especially through the National School Food Program, that [has] played an important role in helping schools respond to growing needs, “says Judith Barry, BCC Co-Founder and Director of Government Relations.
My take
Barry stresses that hungry kids is an issue that concerns and challenges all of us. “Indeed,” she says, “the Club has observed that one in three schools across the country identifies access to healthy, affordable food as a daily challenge.
As social program advocates always remind us… Our kids are our future. So even if we personally don’t have any progeny, it’s important that we all contribute as generously as we can afford to sup-port programs such as the BCC… Support your local school food programs as best you can. And consider a direct donation the BCC, as well.
~ Maggie J.