School Breakfast Grant Grantees Announced

August 5, 2009 – Research has repeatedly shown that students who start the day with breakfast perform better at school. However, millions of American children – one of every six – are unable to get proper nourishment at home – a rising number due to recent economic hardships.

Increasing the number of children eating breakfast at school to start their day right is the goal of $55,000 in grants, plus technical assistance, that Action for Healthy Kids is providing to 41 schools in 17 states this coming school year. Funded by Kellogg’s Corporate Citizenship Fund, the charitable arm of Kellogg Company, the grants will fund alternative breakfast programs, increase parents’ and students’ awareness, and/or enhance the school breakfast experience through educational enrichment activities. Action for Healthy Kids received more than 215 applications for the mini grants, which range between $500 and $2,000, and may increase the number of students participating in school breakfast programs this year by as many as 20,000 children.

“The concept is simple: children who are better nourished are healthier and learn better. School breakfast programs help ensure that kids get healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, fiber, whole grains, and low- and non-fat dairy to jumpstart their day,” said Rob Bisceglie, executive director of Action for Healthy Kids. “Unfortunately, thousands of children who could be getting breakfast at school aren’t taking advantage of this health-promoting program.”

To be eligible for funding, schools had to have at least 50% of their student population eligible for free and reduced price meals. Nationally, 18.4 million children receive free- or reduced-price lunch through the National School Lunch Program on an average day. However, less than half take advantage of breakfast at school. Last school year, a family of four that made $28,665 a year or less qualified for free school breakfast. The federal government is raising the salary cap for the 2009-10 school year.

In addition to boosting brainpower, breakfast has been shown to curb behavior problems, reduce absenteeism, and help children focus.

View the complete list of school receiving grants and information on their programs online.

This message was sent from Action for Healthy Kids to mary.decker@dmps.k12.ia.us. It was sent from: Action for Healthy Kids, 4711 Golf Rd Suite 625, Skokie, IL 60076.