The Breakfast Club of Canada, which serves up nutritious breakfasts to schoolchildren in need, says it has expanded its presence in Quebec for this upcoming school year.
This year, 66 more schools in the province have signed on for the group's services, bringing the total to 383. That means 1.9 million more breakfasts for kids who might not otherwise have one — something which the group's director, Tommy Kulczyk, says affects a child's ability to perform in school.
"Sadly, 1 in 4 children start school on an empty stomach every day, and that's unacceptable for a prosperous country like Canada," says Kulczyk, who previously spent more than three decades with Montreal's Sun Youth Organization.
He adds that corporate support, and support from members of the public, are allowing the group to expand its reach. Over the next few weeks, donation boxes will be set up in places like Bureau En Gros, Costco and Walmart stores
A $2 donation will help feed a child for a day; it costs the group $330 to feed a child for one year.
Across Canada, about 1,600 schools help provide breakfast for more than 220,000 students.