Breakfast Clubs of Canada raising funds for school breakfast programs to feed children
Learn more about Breakfast Clubs of Canada visit www.BreakfastClubsCanada.org
Breakfast Clubs of Canada and Walmart Canada raise $3 million for School Breakfast Programs across Canada
Montreal, March 31, 2011 – Breakfast Clubs of Canada, in partnership with Walmart Canada, is proud to announce today that its Taste for Learning Tour raised a record-breaking $3 million for school breakfast programs across Canada, which ensures thousands of children have access to a nutritious start to the day.
With one in 10 Canadian children going to school on an empty stomach, the Taste for Learning Tour aimed to raise awareness and funds for school breakfast programs. The money raised this year will help Breakfast Clubs of Canada provide funding, equipment, food donations, management tools and support for these programs.
On February 4, the Taste for Learning Tour began an eight-city tour across Canada to build awareness and support for school breakfast programs nationwide. Following the Tour, the in-store fundraising campaign kicked off at Walmart stores on February 17 and ran until March 20. Walmart customers were invited to purchase a $1 bookmark, which equals one nutritious breakfast for a child. The in-store campaign raised more than $2.2 million and received more than $646,000 in corporate matching grants.
“Walmart has been with us every step of the way,” said Daniel Germain, president and founder of Breakfast Clubs of Canada. “As a partner, they have been an integral part of our success and they strongly believe in our mission. Their support of this year’s Taste for Learning Tour will help us provide even more nutritious starts to the day for children in urban and First Nation communities across Canada.”
According to a recent Angus Reid survey, 78 per cent of Canadians believe having a healthy breakfast strongly improves a child’s ability to learn at school. When children go to school hungry or poorly nourished, their energy levels, memory, problem-solving skills, creativity, concentration and behaviour are all negatively impacted. As a result of being hungry at school, these children may not reach their full developmental potential.
That’s why corporate partners such as Saputo, Danone, Kellogg’s and Minute Maid also joined in to help make a difference. By purchasing select food product from these partners at Walmart stores, the Taste for Learning campaign raised an additional $115,000.
Since 2005, Walmart Canada, its customers, associates and suppliers have raised and donated close to $16 million for Breakfast Clubs of Canada, making Walmart Canada Breakfast Club of Canada’s largest corporate donor and proud partner.
“Walmart Canada is proud to continue to support kids’ breakfast programs in Canada,” said David Cheesewright, president and CEO for Walmart Canada. “Our associates, customers, and suppliers continue to show overwhelming generosity to ensure Canadian children get a nutritious start to their day.”
To learn more about Breakfast Clubs of Canada or make a donation online, visit www.BreakfastClubsCanada.org