Food For Kids Celebrates Serving Up Success to Local Students
Written by admin, April 18, 2013
April 18, 2013 – Hundreds of Volunteers and Sponsors Recognized at Appreciation Luncheon
Today more than 300 people gathered to celebrate Food For Kids breakfast and snack programs in local schools and to honour the incredible contributions of local volunteers and sponsors who run this program throughout the community.
“This is a proud day for our entire community and the hundreds of volunteers, schools and sponsors who have kept young minds nourished for over 20 years,” said Chris McCarthy, Food For Kids Student Nutrition Program Coordinator. “Thanks to the high level of community involvement, Food For Kids has developed into an incredibly successful program that makes a real difference to local students.”
Food For Kids student nutrition programs are available to all students at 46 participating schools. Nutritious foods are prepared by and served by volunteers in a friendly, welcoming environment. Last school year, breakfast and snacks were made available to approximately 17,000 students, and over 1.8 million meals were served.
“Hunger is a serious learning problem. There is direct link between good nutrition and learning,” said Carolyn Doris, Public Health Nutritionist at Peterborough Public Health. “With breakfast club involvement, there are noticeable improvements in student behaviour, attitude, attention span, concentration, academic achievements, and school attendance.”
Through the collaborative efforts and contributions of committed community members, the Food For Kids partnership has grown to 46 school breakfast programs, nearly one thousand volunteers, and over 175 community partners and sponsors.
Today’s luncheon recognized the contributions and dedication of Food For Kids’ community partners, schools and volunteers who generously support student nutrition programs throughout Peterborough County and City.
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For further information, please contact:
Chris McCarthy
Food For Kids Student Nutrition Program Coordinator
(705) 742-2269
cmccarthy.snp@live.com
Carolyn Doris
Food For Kids Student Nutrition Program Health Promoter
Peterborough Public Health
(705) 743-1000, ext. 251
cdoris@peterboroughpublichealth.ca