|
Wal-Mart goes bananas for Canada's kids!
From the Canada News-Wire
Thu 26 Jan 2006
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Jan. 26 /CNW/ - In support of one of Canada's leading child health causes Wal-Mart and Sam's Clubs in cooperation with the BREAKFAST CLUBS OF CANADA (BCC) will be raising money for BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING, a national organization that supports nutrition programs in schools. The Wal-Mart Canada Go Bananas! campaign kicks-off January 26 and continues to February 15, 2006. In support of one of Canada's leading child health causes, Wal-Mart customers are invited to donate a loonie to help ensure that all children attend school well nourished and ready to learn.
Over the past two years Wal-Mart employees, customers and suppliers have contributed more than $2 million to these nutrition programs in schools under the Wal-Mart Good Works program. Money raised in the Go Bananas! campaign will help support more than 2,500 programs operating in schools and communities across the country. Today, one million children in Canada live under the poverty line and more than 30% of elementary school children do not eat breakfast, placing them at risk of not performing well at school. The connection between a healthy diet and a child's ability to learn is well documented. Equally, there are a number of related health issues such as esteem eating disorders which are favorably influenced through proper nutrition. Teachers identify low energy, irritability, hyperactivity, lack of concentration, and poor social and academic skills as characteristics of children with poor eating habits.
Wal-Mart's support of BREAKFAST CLUBS OF CANADA will benefit school nutrition programs and help advance the work of BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING and more than 30,000 volunteers across the country who are dedicated to the health and learning needs of the children in their communities.
"Canadian children are at risk, with a substantial rise in childhood diseases related to poor nutrition including diabetes, heart disease and obesity," said Mario Pilozzi, president for Wal-Mart Canada. "At Wal-Mart Canada we want to do our part to address this priority and to give all kids an equal opportunity to be well nourished and ready to learn. Wal-Mart is pleased to support a new alliance with BREAKFAST CLUBS OF CANADA in support of BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING. Their support will help garner additional funding that is critical to expanding community based child nutrition initiatives."
About BREAKFAST CLUBS OF CANADA
BREAKFAST CLUBS OF CANADA (BCC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds for school feeding programs in Canada. It is an alliance partner of BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING working to raise new funding by expanding outreach and engaging people and corporations in meeting the nutrition needs of Canada's Kids. BCC's common mission is to ensure that every child attends school well nourished and ready to learn.
About BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING
BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING is the leading national non-profit organization in Canada dedicated to funding community-based child nutrition programs. For more information about child nutrition programs and BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING visit www.breakfastforlearning.ca.
About Wal-Mart Canada Corp.
Wal-Mart Canada operates a network of 271 discount stores nationwide and six SAM'S CLUBs in Ontario. The company has a nationwide commitment to the health and education of children, working closely with Breakfast for Learning. Support for children is a primary focus of Wal-Mart Canada's corporate goodwill program, called Good Works, which donates an estimated $190,000 each week to community and charity groups nationwide. Through Good Works, Wal-Mart Canada has contributed $50 million to important Canadian causes and organizations in need since 1994.
|
