Success Stories

The dream of starting a breakfast program started in 2008 with the "accidental" happening upon the Breakfast for Learning website. We applied for a grant and then requested volunteers who would be willing to come forward and help organize the undertaking. We quickly realized that there was a lot more than just plopping cereal on a table..

Through the group of amazing volunteers that came together (parents, community business volunteers, staff and students), we began organizing and searching for a space in our school that would be suitable. We then surveyed our student body about nutrition, the importance of breakfast, how many of them eat breakfast, and what they typically eat when they do. The results astounded us. A full 25% of our student body of 415 students were not eating anything. Half of the students were grabbing something of little nutritional value. The rest were at least getting something.

Armed with this information, we had to decide our target group. Could we really reach them all? Well, to make a long short short, the answer is "yes". We weren't able to launch our program as early as we would have liked as we had to do considerably more fundraising. We also needed the grant money when it arrived. However, between the businesses in our community, the school board, as well as our own administrators, the staff and students, we all pitched in and were able to begin our program at the end of February 2009.

The aim of our program is to provide a free and nutritious breakfast for all the students. We knew that at middle school, if we charged the students, the ones who really needed it wouldn't come. However, if we charged nothing these same students wouldn't come (many refuse what they consider a handout). It took us a while for us to draw in some of our really needy students as they were disbelieving at first. They couldn't really believe that they could eat for free with no strings attached.

To date, we are running our program on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, but would like to extend this at the beginning of October to three, and see if it is possible to stretch it further. It all comes down to money but as I've said our community has been amazing.

We are a work in progress, but are very proud of the accomplishments that we have made since January. The parents, staff and students look forward to this year and we know that the program is valued.