Back to main page

have you had YOUR breakfast today?

Thanks to Red Cross and Sanitarium, the Good Start Breakfast Club is now in it's first week at Zoe's school. This program is basically a free healthy and nutritious breakfast to any student who shows up and asks each morning before school starts.

I think it's a fantastic idea which has already benefited many schools across the country and I have no doubts that this school will reap those same benefits. Studies show that up to 40% of all school aged children in this country skip or miss breakfast each day. It affects their behavior their ability to focus and learn, not to mention the physical side effects of not eating correctly. By offering breakfast at the school we are not only helping with these issues, but part of the program is about teaching the children healthy eating habits, social skills and life skills also. Those that are able are encouraged to help, and do as much for themselves as is practical, safe and possible.

The best part about it is NO child will be turned away. While it's primarily aimed at those children who for whatever reason, haven't had ANY breakfast, it's also for those that maybe haven't had enough, ran out of time, or just want the social interaction There is no discrimination based on financial status of the family, where they live, how they dress, the color of their skin or the language they speak. If they can say please and thank you are a student of the school and arrive during the designated time, we will feed them breakfast!

As you can imagine there are a few hiccups, this morning the toasters couldn't keep up, but super seller Kell (i've been told I can sell ice to the Eskimos) managed to dwindle the demand down a little and get some kiddies having cereal instead. The current location on site isn't the ideal one and a move to another building is being considered at this stage, we'll just have to make do if that can't happen. There will also be a learning period for both the volunteers and students in the coming weeks as we fine tune how things are done and it begins to run smoothly rather than looking like quarter time at footy with people crowding round the drinks bucket! Whilst Red Cross run it, each school is encouraged to tailor things to suit their needs to a certain extent.

I'm extremely proud to be part of such a fantastic program and for those of you who live in Australia, I urge you to contact your local Red Cross office and see if a local school needs some help, either with donations of goods, or your time. This is our future we are feeding here, and not just their bodies, but their minds as well We owe to it them, and ourselves to give them a good start don't you think?

p.s You may ask what prompted me to become involved in this. Well that answer is easy - I'm involved in P & C, library, literacy and the canteen, and I thought to myself, gee Kell, you don't do nearly enough for that school, you should get off your butt and do some more!