Students in Wellington and Dufferin Counties will give up something that they take for granted on March 4 as part of the Live Free Campaign.
Currently over 28,000 students from the Upper Grand, Wellington Catholic, and Dufferin Peel Catholic School Boards have agreed to Live Free compared to 24,000 who participated in 2010. Live free at school participants will promise to Live Free of a daily treat and donate a toonie to the campaign.
All money raised will go to Food and Friends programs, and each toonie donated will provide one nutritious breakfast and snack.
Also on board to Live Free are Mayor Karen Farbridge, Tyler Carroll of the Guelph Storm, Liz Sandals’ constituency office, Magic 106.1’s Kevin Kelly, and Inside Guelph’s Trish Stevenson.
Food and Friends support student nutrition programs at over 60% of schools in the Upper Grand and Wellington Catholic District school boards. The programs provide a start to a student’s day by providing a healthy meal in a safe environment. For some children and youth, the food served in those programs is their only meal for the day.
Food and Friends believes that every child has the right to go to school well nourished and ready to learn. Where programs are available, all students are welcomed.
Anita Macfarlane, the Food and Friends community program director, said, “With the increase of program starts this year, community fundraising efforts are necessary, significant, and appreciated more than ever. Live Free provides the opportunity to raise local funds for local student nutrition programs. Students have a lot to think about, where there next meal will come from should not be one of them.”
Along with the participating schools, The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington is challenging businesses to Live Free on March 4. Businesses are encouraged to register to support children in the community so that they can have the nourishment that they need to learn. For more information on Live Free, including a list of participating schools, and to register a business visit www.livefreecampaign.ca or contact The Children’s Foundation at 519-826-9551.
The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington and Food and Friends support 76 student nutrition program sites within Wellington and Dufferin Counties. In the 2009/2010 school year over $350,000 was distributed to these programs.
