belairdirect is proud to announce a new partnership with Breakfast Club of Canada and a donation of $1.5 million over the next three years. With this contribution, Breakfast Club of Canada will open new breakfast programs in three Canadian schools in areas of greatest need. In addition, this contribution will help support existing programs across all of Canada supporting Breakfast Club of Canada's mission. belairdirect will also assist the Club with an applied research initiative on food insecurity in children caused by child poverty, in order to raise awareness and educate Canadians on this issue that affects far too many of Canada's youth.
Confronted with the surprising statistic that one in five Canadian children lives in poverty, belairdirect is acting decisively in an effort to help Breakfast Club of Canada close the gap that far too many families are slipping through. With 60 per cent of learning happening in the morning, students who arrive at school hungry are at a disadvantage. On average, students who miss breakfast lose about 132 minutes of learning time each day, which over the course of a school year equates to four months.
"belairdirect's dedication to reducing the number of children going to school hungry and commitment to student success, shows again that a reputable national company such as belairdirect can help reverse the tide. We are very excited to have this new, like-minded partner to ensure more children have access to a healthy breakfast before class. We thank belairdirect for their investment in the lives of children and youth across the country" said Daniel Germain, Founding President, Breakfast Club of Canada.
"The well-being of children is essential to the development of our society. The fact that nearly 1.2 million children do not receive adequate food and oftentimes go without food altogether is disheartening," says Anne Fortin, Senior Vice President, Direct Distribution, belairdirect. "It is more than just breakfast. In partnership with Breakfast Club of Canada, we are looking to make a concrete difference in the lives of children by providing them with the fuel to succeed academically, as well as improve overall self-esteem."
Students attending breakfast programs have shown improvement in skills like independent work, initiative, conflict resolution, and class participation. Breakfast is brain food, and a balanced meal in the morning helps with behaviour and concentration as well as social skills. The impact Breakfast Club of Canada programs have on Canadian children goes beyond fulfilling the immediate need of a healthy meal, but rather helps build confidence and enables them to reach their full potential.