The RM of Coalfields is set to ensure the breakfast program at Weldon School does not fall by the wayside.
The elementary school started its breakfast program in 2010 through the Breakfast Clubs of Canada, but their contract with that organization expires at the end of this school year. While they have re-applied for funding, the school now knows they will definitely be continuing in the future thanks to a decade-long commitment from the local RM.
Valerie Pelton, RM of Coalfields administrator, noted they were looking for sponsorship opportunities for their centennial year, and when they saw the school was in need of the funding, committed to a total of $60,000 over the next 10 years. The money funds food and supplies for the daily breakfast program in the school that feeds about 60 kids each day.
Melissa Rensby, a member of the school's community council, is involved in the breakfast program and said $6,000 covers the costs for an entire year of their program. The Breakfast Clubs of Canada was funding $5,000 for food, as well as $1,000 through a partnership with Minute Maid to provide juice. The Salvation Army also provides bread and cereal for the program.
"It's nice because we do have a lot of bus kids," said Rensby. "When you have to get on the bus at 7:30 in the morning, and it comes to sleeping in a little bit longer or having breakfast, most kids would probably pick sleeping in. So it's nice when they get to school that they are able to have that breakfast."
Rensby said they try to have at least three food groups each morning, with breakfasts consisting of bagels and cream cheese, a muffin with some fruit and milk, and Fridays are usually a day for cereal.
"The teachers have always done toast on Tuesdays. That's something that they've always done and we've kept that going," added Rensby.
Pelton said the RM was happy to support the program because of the effect it has on students.
"We thought that as part of our centennial celebration, we would consider a donation every year for the next 10 years to keep the program running," said Pelton.
The first donation from the RM will be made at the start of the 2013-14 school year.
"It's important for all of them," she said. "We'll continue to feed kids before school in order to build and enhance their educational experience."
"It's a huge relief knowing that is taken care of," Rensby said of the RM's contribution over the next 10 years.
She noted that they are still waiting to hear back from Breakfast Clubs of Canada as to the status of that funding. She said they will hear back in March and if they receive funding from them as well, it would just mean they have a little extra cash to put into the program.
"They didn't have any sponsors going forward, but a lot of our children, from our ratepayers, attend school there," added Pelton. "Not every family can afford to feed their children nutritious meals everyday, and we just want to make sure that going forward, kids are able to explore their educational experience and maybe increase their educational determination and ambition later on in life because there's a good healthy meal to start them off."
