Tough financial times impacting Victorian kids

MEDIA ALERT 29 July 2009

Media requests should be directed to Fenton Communications on 03 9600 0006

The economic crisis is seeing thousands of Victorian students turning up to school hungry because families are doing it tough, according to Feed Melbourne’s co-founders.

Research shows one in four students in Australia goes to school on an empty stomach and
this can impact learning, concentration and energy levels, as well as lead to chronic health issues in the future.

“Schools are telling us the demand for breakfast programs is increasing. More are wanting to
start such programs, but need sponsors and funding. Breakfast programs are essential, but expensive for many schools  – in one case, costing a Melbourne school up to $40,000 a year,” said Toni Hetherington, Feed Melbourne co-founder.

Three-thousand students from 23 schools across Melbourne will join forces this Thursday to highlight this issue and support Feed Melbourne (22 June – 18 September) in raising $1
million to support charities and school breakfast programs across the State.

WHO: Feed Melbourne – an initiative of Leader Community Newspapers, FareShare and Do Something.
WHAT: The Big Breakfast for Feed Melbourne. Twenty-three participating schools will provide free breakfast packs to their students in exchange for gold coin donations. All funds raised will go towards Feed Melbourne.
WHEN: Thursday, 30 JULY 2009 at 8.45AM
WHERE: Newlands Primary School - Elizabeth Street, Coburg North. Mel Ref: 18 C8

CAMPAIGN MATERIALS:
Feed Melbourne backgrounder, profiles and statistics available on request.
Visit www.feedmelbourne.org.au <http://www.feedmelbourne.org.au>  for more information.