Breakfast program making a difference
A tireless group of volunteers in Rocky View Schools’ (RVS) Food For Thought project are part of a breakfast program that is leaving kids well-fed and more attentive in class.
The program has been growing since it began in September 2010, according to spokesperson Nikki Hall.
“It was certainly received with a lot more enthusiasm and participation than we anticipated,” she said. “We filled a need.”
That need is giving kids a healthy morning meal while providing a social hangout and a sharp mind for a day of learning.
“We’ve seen the benefits in classrooms,” said Hall. “They’re engaged.”
Each day the program serves more than 300 students across the school division and the social stigma of receiving food handouts is becoming a thing of the past, said Hall.
“I credit the admin of all the schools, they lead by example,” she said.
“They make sure the kids don’t view it as something negative. If you’re hungry, you eat.”
Lori McRitchie of the Airdrie Food Bank echoed those sentiments.
“If we make it available to all, the stigma goes away,” she said. “We don’t want the stigma of kids having to ask.”
Many students are simply too busy and caught up in a multitude of other activities and often skip breakfast, according to Bob Smith, owner of Cobs Bakery and program donor.
“It’s a pretty fast lifestyle,” he said. “Maybe it’s not that they’re neglecting, but they’re rushing around too fast. I’m sure it might be the pace we live in nowadays.”
Smith offers day-old bread products to RVS and is happy to assist. Similarly, McRitchie was eager to help when she learned of the initiative.
“When I found out there was a program for all schools, I jumped right in. I really believe that kids learn better when they’ve been fed,” she said.
Currently, more than $23,000 has been giving to RVS by sponsor groups. Local sponsors include Safeway, the Boys and Girls Club of Airdrie, Cochrane Youth Association and M&M Meats.
For more information or to donate, call 403-945-4069.
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