NEWS RELEASE

27 July 2007

Over 200 fewer hungry Kiwi kids each day thanks to Red Cross Breakfast in Schools programme

The steps New Zealand Red Cross took less than three months ago to ensure Kiwi kids receive a healthy breakfast before they start the school day has already proved invaluable and in demand. Each day over 200 hungry kids are fuelling their brains before they start class.

The Red Cross Breakfast in Schools programme, supported by Countdown supermarkets, was launched nationally in early May. It is currently being served up in eight decile one primary schools, with 13 more about to start. The initiative is another of New Zealand Red Cross’ targeted community programmes aimed at assisting those who can’t always help themselves.

“There are Kiwi kids arriving at school hungry, and as a humanitarian organisation that aims to address vulnerability, we took action to target a real need. I said three months ago that ideally New Zealand Red Cross wouldn’t need to take up this breakfast challenge but the results speak for themselves,” says Red Cross Breakfast in Schools national programme manager, Patrick Cummings.

“The feedback from every single one of the schools involved in Red Cross Breakfast in Schools has been wholly positive, with many telling me the kids who take part are more settled, can concentrate better in class and are less disruptive. I’m pleased that New Zealand Red Cross is helping to improve the lives of over 200 Kiwi kids each day, and with more schools expressing a need for the programme, potentially many more children in the future”.

With Countdown’s support to provide food for the breakfast programme, New Zealand Red Cross has committed to offering a nationally co-ordinated, sustainable long term programme that meets the needs of the community. The biggest challenge for the programme is finding committed volunteers who are able to give their time regularly towards bettering their community and the future of its kids.

Of the eight schools currently offering their pupils Red Cross Breakfast in Schools, seven are in South Auckland and one is in Patea. The 13 schools planning to start the programme are in Gisborne, Kawerau, Tauranga, Wanganui, Whangarei, Te Kaha, Whakatane, Hastings, two schools in Porirua and three more in South Auckland. Eligible schools in the South Island are currently being provided information by New Zealand Red Cross about the programme.

Ends