The YMCA Student Nutrition program provides healthy meals to our local schools so students can succeed. The Y is helping 50,000 children, but there are five schools in our ward that still have a shortfall. Together, we can help.
Every child deserves the chance to learn, but when hunger gets in the way, it can be difficult for kids students to focus on schoolwork. That’s the reality for many families in the Greater Toronto Area and Peel Region — where one in four households struggle with food insecurity. So, the YMCA has stepped up and created the Student Nutrition Program providing nutritious breakfasts, lunches and snacks.
The Smart Thing To Do
Providing good nutrition is not just the compassionate thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do. Proper amounts of healthy food are foundational to both physical health and academic success. Research shows that students who eat breakfast every morning can experience up to a 15% improvement in memory and focus, often reflected in better grades and stronger classroom performance. Regular breakfast also reduces the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes by 34%. A small investment today means that students from the program will go on to be more productive over their working life and require fewer public medical resources.
School Nutrition in Ward 6
In Ward 6, the following nine schools have children receiving meals via the YMCA School Nutrition Program. Five of these schools’ programs are facing financial shortfalls. Their need ranges in order from Whitehorn at about $2,000 this year down to $500 this year for Sherwood Mills. Yes, for as little as $500, you or a group of friends and neighbours could ensure no student at a school goes without breakfast and lunch.
Schools Short of Funding
- Whitehorn Public School
- The Woodlands Secondary School
- St. Raymond Catholic Elementary
- St. David of Wales Separate School
- Sherwood Mills Public School
Schools with Reasonable Funding
- Willow Way Public School
- McBride Public School
- Fallingbrook Middle School
- Queenston Dr. Public School
How You Can Help
The Student Nutrition Program relies on community support. Donations and volunteers are essential to the program. With your help, we can help keep more students healthy, focused, and ready to learn. Together, we can ensure no child starts their school day hungry and every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Please support the Student Nutrition Program. Every donation helps fuel a child’s learning.
