Local community partners support ADSB breakfast programs
This year, local community members made generous donations to support the delivery of our breakfast programs locally and throughout the district.
Saija Paakki (pictured right with Director Reece and Chair Sarlo), President of the Sault Insurance Brokers Association (SIRA) made a financial contribution in the amount of $2000 on behalf of SIRA. This is the sixth year that SIRA has made this donation to the Board, and Director Reece thanked the Association for its on-going support. In addition, Mike Da Prat (pictured below with Chair Sarlo), President of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 2251, donated $10,000 to the Breakfast Program.
These donations are greatly appreciated as they go a long way to support the purchase of fresh fruit, milk, yoghurt, cereals and other healthy options, much needed by some students who arrive at school without breakfast or lunch for the day. Studies have shown that children whose nutritional needs are met have fewer attendance and discipline problems, and their ability to learn is enhanced.
Saija Paakki (pictured right with Director Reece and Chair Sarlo), President of the Sault Insurance Brokers Association (SIRA) made a financial contribution in the amount of $2000 on behalf of SIRA. This is the sixth year that SIRA has made this donation to the Board, and Director Reece thanked the Association for its on-going support. In addition, Mike Da Prat (pictured below with Chair Sarlo), President of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 2251, donated $10,000 to the Breakfast Program.
These donations are greatly appreciated as they go a long way to support the purchase of fresh fruit, milk, yoghurt, cereals and other healthy options, much needed by some students who arrive at school without breakfast or lunch for the day. Studies have shown that children whose nutritional needs are met have fewer attendance and discipline problems, and their ability to learn is enhanced.
Many schools have exceptional assistance from parent/grandparent volunteers, school councils, student helpers and staff volunteers. These individuals are often the ones either doing the shopping for food or picking up, unpacking, sorting, storing and delivering the food on any given day. Schools ensure that food is available or distributed in ways to ensure no students feel stigmatized.ADSB Chair Jennifer Sarlo thanked both community partners on behalf of the Board. “The issue of poverty is very real in our community and I get a firsthand view of it on a regular basis in my volunteer work at St. Vincent Place. Our staff experience its impact on our most vulnerable students on a daily basis. These donations will have a positive impact on a very present need in our schools.”
Currently we have 46 Nutrition Programs being offered in our schools. Many of our schools (34) offer either a breakfast program or a morning meal. Many of our schools are part of the Northern Ontario Fruit and Vegetable program established by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MHLTC). Through this program approximately 12,000 children in 60 elementary schools in the Porcupine and Algoma District are receiving two servings of fruit and vegetables each week.
Private donations, like the one from SIRA and USW are important for the on-going success of nutrition programs. Funding throughout the district comes from other sources including Algoma Family Services (who fund the Student Nutrition Program) and Algoma Public Health who coordinate the MHLTC Fruit and Vegetable program.