Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Breakfast Programs

a Biblical thought...
Going a little ahead, he fell on his face, praying, "My Father, if there is any way, get me out of this. But please, not what I want. You, what do you want?" (Matt 26:39)

a Book thought... From Followers to Leaders by Robert Logan & Tara Miller
We need leaders who are deeply impacted by God and are able to facilitate holistic, meaningful life change in others. (p15)

a Dave thought... from The Age
SCHOOLS are increasingly having to feed disadvantaged children, and demand for breakfast clubs is so great that more than 200 schools are now on a waiting list to set up a program.
As state and federal governments move to tackle disadvantage in schools, the largest provider of breakfast clubs for schools — the Australian Red Cross — is struggling to meet requests for help.
The organisation provides breakfast for 263 schools across Australia. But Shaun Hazeldine, national manager of community nutrition at the Red Cross, said many schools were having to wait. "There are a lot of other schools we could be helping if we had the money," he said.
With student poverty an ongoing problem in education, the State Government last week began handing out information booklets advising principals on how to set up their own breakfast clubs.
But Mr Hazeldine said breakfast clubs relied largely on the generosity of businesses and the community.
"In the classroom the children were not able to concentrate and they were very fidgety because they had come to school on empty stomachs," she said. "We are a highly disadvantaged area here in Springvale, so it provides a service to our parents and takes some of the stress off them."

The Salvation Army is also involved in running many breakfast programs, but it would always be good to run more. Why not contact your local school and volunteer to set up a program as the need is great and many would appreciate your generosity.

Just a thought.

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