Did you know that one in five Canadian children are currently at risk of going to school hungry. This can have an impact on a student's ability to pay attention at school, arrive on time and participate in learning. According to Breakfast Club of Canada, a Canadian non-profit organization, sixty per cent of classroom learning is done before lunchtime. So, to enable children to learn effectively at school, BCC has embraced a strategy that aims to empower every child to realize their full potential through its national breakfast club program.
According to BCC, when children get a balanced meal in a positive, stimulating environment, there are marked improvements in:
behavior and concentration
academic performance
social skills, self-confidence, and the ability to interact with peers and adults
overall interest in the subjects being taught
incidents of bullying
To help set students up for future success, HSBC Bank Canada has donated one million dollars to Breakfast Club of Canada to provide 4,500 youth each year in Vancouver, Calgary, Saskatoon, Toronto and Montreal with access to healthy breakfasts, over the next three years. In partnership with Breakfast Club of Canada, HSBC also developed the HSBC Future Leaders program which celebrates students from across Canada who are making a difference in their communities. The HSBC Future Leaders program has recognized seven children from across the country for demonstrating leadership in their respective communities.
“From championing eco-friendly programs, advocating for social justice and mental health initiatives, to supporting diversity and inclusion in their schools and communities, these seven amazing young people are making Canada a better place,” said Larry Tomei, executive vice-president, and head of retail banking & wealth management, HSBC Bank Canada.
