Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/171519
Breakfast and Books this is not a granola bar This is a ticket to a high-school diploma, a good job and a future | BY PAUL HERATY Champlain Heights Elementary School is located in the southeast corner of Vancouver near Boundary Road at 49th Avenue. About 250 students enjoy its expansive, park-like grounds and unique landscaping. It doesn't look like an inner city school. But looks can be deceiving – there are students "at risk" here. Between 25 and 30 come to school unfed every morning. "When students come to school hungry, they have a hard time settling down," says Peter Evans, former principal at Champlain Heights. "They are upset and distracted. It's tough to focus on learning when you're hungry. "We ran a breakfast program for these children for five years," says Evans. "The program changed several times over the years. It started as a 'club,' then morphed into a 'Breakfast with Books' program to enhance literacy levels. Now it's mainly a program that reaches needy students by providing classroom teachers with a 'stash' of food and drink that can be distributed quietly to children in need without drawing attention, or having them 'stand out' as needy. "Last year, we spent $1,000 of grant money feeding hungry children. But funding for the program dried up this year. Some teachers are now paying for granola bars, yogurt bars and Tetra Pak drinks out of their own pockets." Before he was assigned to another school, Evans contacted Vancouver Foundation hoping that he could secure $1,000 for the breakfast program. Director of development Peter Jackman made a quick phone call to a donor he thought might be interested. The answer came back in less than 10 minutes. The donor, who wished to remain anonymous, would fund the breakfast program for three years. It's another great example of a little money going a long way. These young people can now concentrate on learning, instead of grumbling tummies. VF Learn more about Vancouver Foundation and the generosity of our donors. Visit our website at www.vancouverfoundation.ca Photos: iStock p22-25_Rainbow-Granola.indd 25 Fall 2012 I Vancouver Foundation l page 25 12-10-16 11:28 AM