Students Help Make School Breakfast Programs a Success

NOTE: The following is a feature story in conjunction with National Volunteer Week.

Student volunteers are helping other students get a better start to their day through breakfast programs at schools across Nova Scotia.

More than 3,200 volunteers work with breakfast programs in schools and communities, dedicating more than 125,000 hours annually.

"Breakfast programs are just one of many ways to help our children get the healthiest start to their day," said Pat Dunn, Minister of Health Promotion and Protection. "Teachers, parents, students, and communities deserve our sincere thanks and appreciation for making these programs a success."

In many schools and communities, students are volunteering daily, taking leading roles with breakfast programs. Student volunteers do everything from helping organize the program and interacting with students, to pouring milk and cereal.

"We started piloting our breakfast program in 10 schools in 1999," said Debbie Madore, Nutrition for Learning Dietician, Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board. "After a decade, 98 per cent of our schools have a breakfast program, helping to build an environment where over 3,500 students can learn and thrive."

Keith Matheson is a Grade 11 student at Baddeck Academy who volunteers to help lead the breakfast program.

"I wanted to do my part to make sure this program was available to students," said Mr. Matheson. "The students are comfortable and know they can get something good to eat without having to pay for it."

Every year, the province recognizes the efforts of more than 377,000 volunteers during National Volunteer Week, April 19-25.

For more information on becoming a volunteer at a breakfast program, contact your local school board or visit www.ednet.ns.ca .