Volunteers helping kids start the day healthy and fed
Vice-principal Sue Tonnesen saw a need for the breakfast program at Hans Helgesen elementary, so she decided to start one.
B次元官网网址淚 noticed a lot of children at school came without a proper breakfast,B次元官网网址� Tonnesen said. B次元官网网址淲ith the breakfast program we donB次元官网网址檛 have hungry kids anymore.B次元官网网址�
The school received grants from non-profit organizations to make it possible. ONEXONE Learning Organization provided $11,400 and Breakfast for Learning chipped in $1,500.
After receiving grant money the program was launched in November.
Funds from ONEXONE is a First Nations Food Grant. The application required support from Beecher Bay Chief Russell Chipps.
The money can only be used to purchase food, and all meals must be based on the Canada Food Guide for First Nations and Metis and include all four food groups, Tonnesen said.
B次元官网网址淚 buy good food. There is no can opener in the kitchen. ItB次元官网网址檚 all fresh,B次元官网网址� Tonnesen said.
The program is open to all children of the Hans Helgensen school. Parents are asked to pay $85 a year for their child to attend the program, but parents who canB次元官网网址檛 afford to pay arenB次元官网网址檛 required to.
B次元官网网址淭he program is not for poor kids or rich kids, itB次元官网网址檚 for everyone,B次元官网网址� said parent volunteer Cory Sievert. B次元官网网址淭his program builds community for the school. The kids eat together like a family. All the kids are happy in the morning.B次元官网网址�
Each morning Tonnesen is in the kitchen by 7 a.m. getting breakfast ready with other volunteers. About 10 core people help with the breakfast program.
B次元官网网址淚t couldnB次元官网网址檛 run without all my volunteers,B次元官网网址� Tonnesen said.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 so much easier now. I just get my kids up and get their backpacks and we leave the house,B次元官网网址� said Alicia Whittaker, a parent and volunteer for the program. B次元官网网址淚t makes life so much easier.B次元官网网址�
Children sit down to a hot breakfast that could be pancakes, quiche or even breakfast pizza.
Some children use the program even though they eat breakfast at home. Principal Julia Sahota explained the school buses start picking up students at 7:15 a.m., and by the time the school starts, they are already hungry again.
B次元官网网址淭hey eat first, they eat again and then they are able to function at school,B次元官网网址� Sahota said. B次元官网网址淭eachers notice that kids with early mornings are doing better.B次元官网网址�
Starting a breakfast program has helped improve school attendance and studentB次元官网网址檚 academic achievements, Sahota said.
Each day about 40 students come through the program to eat in the multipurpose room with its attached kitchen.
B次元官网网址淏asically the kitchen was sitting doing nothing,B次元官网网址� Sahota said. B次元官网网址淲e put it to better use.B次元官网网址�
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com
