School Breakfast Program sees an increase in demand

Foodbank SA wants to make sure that South Australian children, regardless of their circumstances, have an equal start in life. A key area of our work is to source and acquire food items to support school based food relief programs across metropolitan Adelaide as well as regional and remote areas of South Australia including the APY Lands.

It has been a busy start to the year with a increasing number of schools joining the Foodbank SA School Breakfast Program.

According to Eleisha Golding, Foodbank SA Schools Program Coordinator, this year has been one of the busiest starts to the school year, “It is evident that the demand for food relief in the school setting is increasing, this is consistent with increase of food insecurity numbers in SA”, says Eleisha.

“We continue to work with schools to deliver a range of programs to support students in their school environment. Importantly, ensuring children get the best start to their day.”

The Foodbank SA School Breakfast Program helps to provide healthy, nutritious food to children who turn up to school hungry. The program also helps schools to provide fruit bowls in classrooms and common areas for students to consume at school or to take home. Foodbank SA delivers breakfast foods to schools free of charge in all regions of South Australia and also provides food to other charities for their School Breakfast Programs. Breakfast items provided free of charge to registered schools in South Australia through the School Breakfast Program include cereal, long-life milk, canned fruit, Vegemite, jam, fresh fruit and bread.

Crossways Lutheran School Breakfast Club

Six years ago, the Crossways Lutheran School began their Breakfast Club as part of the Foodbank SA’s schools breakfast program. These days the children have access to milk, cereal, baked beans, spaghetti, bread, spreads and fresh fruit.

Breakfast Club Co-ordinator Andrew McIlwraith says the club supports struggling families in need.

“Country living is getting so costly and we need to support families through their difficult times,” says Andrew.

“It’s great to see a previously hungry child walk away with a full stomach and a smile on their face.”

The benefits of the program are obvious to Andrew. “Our community families can’t always provide breakfast for their children, due to lots of different reasons. Students can now get to school on time and concentrate in class. They can focus on being able to achieve their goals and work towards their future,” – Andrew Mcllwraith, Breakfast Club Coordinator, Crossways Lutheran School.

To support our School Breakfast Program visit: www.foodbanksa.org.au/donate