50 Schools Now Offer Red Cross Breakfast Programme

NEWS RELEASE

8 October 2009

50 Schools Now Offer Red Cross Breakfast Programme

This month marks a milestone for the Red Cross Breakfast in Schools programme – with 50 decile one primary school across the country now taking part. The programme was launched in May 2007, and has so far provided over 300,000 healthy breakfasts to the hungry children taking part.

The programme provides the opportunity for hungry children to take part in a sit down breakfast of cereal and milk, toast and spreads and a hot drink, at their school before they start their learning day.

On Thursday 15 October, to celebrate the milestone, New Zealand Red Cross and Countdown will host a ‘by invitation only’ community breakfast at Kelvin Road School in Papakura, Auckland.

In a unique union that mobilises the power of humanity, New Zealand Red Cross, Countdown supermarkets, participating schools and community volunteers work together to ensure that children who might not otherwise get a healthy breakfast, have a better chance of reaching their learning potential. It is a widely recognised fact that children are able to concentrate better with a full tummy.

“Red Cross Breakfast in Schools is making a real difference in the participating schools. Feedback we’ve received from teachers certainly indicates that children who take part in the programme are better equipped to learn because of increased levels of concentration and improved behaviour,” says David Neal, New Zealand Red Cross National Programmes Manager.

Countdown supermarkets have supported the programme since its launch in 2007 and are proud to be helping to make such a difference in the community.

“We are a kiwi company that owns and operates 150 supermarkets right throughout New Zealand, and we employ over 18,000 people. We are an important part of every community that we serve, and we are mindful of the need to support these communities. The Red Cross is extremely important to New Zealand, and Countdown is pleased to support the breakfasts. We are in the supermarket business, so this is a natural fit,” says Peter Smith, Managing Director, Progressive Enterprises.

While the programme’s primary focus is ensuring children can have a healthy breakfast, feedback indicates that the children enjoy the social aspects the programme offers such as sharing a meal with others, talking to the volunteers and teachers in a relaxed and friendly environment, as well as having the responsibility of assisting with setting the shared breakfast up and clearing away afterwards.

New Zealand Red Cross is able to offer the programme nationally thanks to the generous support from Countdown supermarkets who provide all the breakfast food, and funding from Red Cross supporters and members of the public who enable the programmes coordination, administration and delivery.

ENDS

© Scoop Media