Brekky lifts kids' spirits

by Enrico Ventura

April 9, 2008

WEDNESDAY mornings sees smiling kids across the board at South Lake Primary School, as breakfast is served up for them.

“The Wednesday breakfast program is a school-led initiative run by volunteers from the City of Cockburn,” said deputy principal, Susan Kirkham.

Earlier last year, Faith Ying, Florence Chelliah and Patricia Kerwin of Centrepoint Church agreed to run the program for the school, in conjunction with the council.

“I come every Wednesday, and I enjoy it very much,” said Kira Ramsey (11) of South Lake. “I even get my friends to come now.”

The program sees about 30 children weekly and numbers are projected to rise.

 “Where there is a need, you try to meet the need,” said Jong Yih Tong, a volunteer with the program. “There are kids coming to school hungry, we meet that need.

“It’s knowing that you make a difference, even though it’s just a piece of toast.”

The food is provided by Foodbank Western Australia, a non-government, non-religious organisation based in Welshpool. Foodbank provides tucker for over 200 schools across WA.

The donated food ranges from Vegemite, wheat biscuits, milk, canned spaghetti and baked beans, and an unlimited supply of bread.

“If these children aren’t fed, they can’t learn,” Foodbank’s Leza Duplock said. “If they can’t learn, they can’t get employed.”

“This just acts as a catalyst for positive things.”

Ms Duplock said schools had reported higher attendance, and lower anti-social behaviour as a result of the program..

DISCLAIMER: Enrico Ventura is a member of Centrepoint Church.