Food For Kids Celebrates Serving Up Success to Local Students
Written by admin, April 29, 2014
April 29, 2014 – Hundreds of Volunteers and Sponsors Who Served 1.9 Million Meals Last Year Recognized at Appreciation Luncheon
Today more than 270 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 47 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 22,000 students, and over 1.9 million meals were served.
“Hunger is a serious learning problem. There is direct link between good nutrition and learning,” said Luisa Magalhaes, 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 47 school breakfast programs, over one thousand volunteers, and over 180 local partners and sponsors. Of special note, 55 of our program volunteers will receiving the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards: 4 are being recognized for 20 years of service, 6 for 15 years of service, 13 with 10 years of service, 20 with 5 years of service and 12 youth with 2 years of service.
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.
-30-
For further information, please contact:
Chris McCarthy
Food For Kids Student Nutrition Program Coordinator
(705) 742-2269
cmccarthy.snp@live.com
Luisa Magalhaes
Public Health Nutritionist
Food For Kids Student Nutrition Program
Peterborough Public Health
(705) 743-1000, ext. 233
lmagalhaes@peterboroughpublichealth.ca
www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/ffk