Breakfast Program
In Canada...
1 CHILD IN 5
is at risk of starting the school day on an empty stomach.
and among IMMIGRANTS and NEWCOMERS, the risk is
2.5X HIGHER
than the general population.
In Aboriginal communities,
the ratio is actually
1 IN 2
37%
and...
of all the people who need EMERGENCY FOOD SUPPORT in HAMILTON are CHILDREN!
That is enough children to fill more than:
100
SCHOOL BUSES
Breakfast Benefits
HEALTH
Poor nutrition in children increase the risk of developing:
-
Chronic illness such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease
-
Mental health problems such as poor self-esteem and anxiety
Some health benefits of a healthy breakfast include:
-
Enhances immune system
-
Increases metabolism
-
Reduces over-eating
-
Helps maintain a healthy weight
-
Increases brain function
EDUCATION
Eating breakfast is important for everyone, but is especially so for children and adolescents. According to the American Dietetic Association, children who eat breakfast perform better in the classroom and on the playground. When children get a balanced breakfast before school there are marked improvments in:
Social skills
Academic performance
Self-confidence
Behaviour and concentration
Overall interest
Incidents of bullying
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Getting kids into good eating habits early will lead to a strong overall health and wellness now and for their future.
HEALTH
Site Title
"The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board is proud and honoured to partner with the Hamilton Bulldogs Foundation to support the Equal Opportunity school’s by eliminating socio-economic barriers to good nutrition. Both organizations recognize the importance of a healthy start to an academic day which lends itself to positively impacting entire school communities."
-Sandra Scime
Asst. Superindendent of Education, HWCDSB
The Bulldogs Foundation has an interactive partnership with the Hamilton School Boards that focuses on the Foundation's Breakfast Program. The Breakfast Program is the primary focus for the Foundation and supports 20 local Hamilton schools by providing a healthy breakfast to 16,000 kids daily. The Foundation provides $200,000 annually to support this initiative.