Meet PJ, a Grade 9 student from Thornhill. He's one of our Agents of Change!

PJ is a Grade 9 student at Stephen Lewis SS. He and the 10 other student Ambassadors are helping to implement change for a healthier and more pros...

PJ is a Grade 9 student at Stephen Lewis SS. He and the 10 other student Ambassadors are helping to implement change for a healthier and more prosperous tomorrow. On February 8th, PJ will be in Toronto giving his presentation on how he wishes to change the Student Nutrition conversation.

Tammy from In R Dream got the opportunity to interview PJ this past week.

Tell me more about how you became a youth Ambassadors for Toonies for Tummies Agents of Change Summit?

I have helped run snack programs at a few elementary schools.

What are your thoughts on Student Nutrition and its impact on today’s students?

Is it is super important and it is not a topic that is being discussed often.

Give us a teaser about your presentation in the upcoming Toonies for Tummies Agents of Change Summit in Toronto this February?

Social media is what makes the world run.

Read Tammy's full interview with PJ on her blog. Tammy also has a quick and easy way to give your breakfast a special smile.

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We are so grateful to Canadians who support Toonies for Tummies during our annual store campaign and, year-round, online.

You may know on April 16th, the Federal Government confirmed plans to support student nutrition programs. Specifically, the budget has announced the creation of a National School Food Program, which will provide $1 billion over five years to Employment and Social Development Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and Indigenous Services Canada, starting in 2024‑25.

You may wonder what does this government funding mean specific to the need and our efforts to fundraise?

Without a doubt, we continue to need your support. While many student nutrition program leaders are encouraged by the incremental government support, many have taken to the news and social media to confirm even with this support, funding gaps will persist.

The Grocery Foundation's Vision, that no Canadian child goes to school hungry, remains fully intact. Our work continues and remains vital to support hungry children through their school’s student nutrition program. There is no change whatsoever in our focus, our mission, or our reliance on your support.

The programs we help fund are universal in nature. That means all children who require a healthy meal have access. Those on the front lines of these programs affirm their positive impact and positive halo beyond the day’s nutrition, from attendance, behaviours to the school community and mental health. The programs you help fund also support foundational nutrition knowledge and social skill building, as many programs include mechanisms for student involvement in menu planning, food preparation and serving of food to peers.

Thank you for choosing to support hungry children in your community, nourishing their health, well-being, academic success while fostering their school community. With your continued support, we will continue to help dreams take flight and nourish over 3,000 programs and neighbourhoods, yours among them.