Walmart Canada Announces $1.2 million Donation to Breakfast Club of Canada and Food Banks Canada

Walmart Canada announced a 1.2 million dollar contribution to Breakfast Club of Canada and Food Banks Canada to support Canadian families in need. According to the 2015 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in Canada, one in ten Canadians and one in five children don’t know where their next meal is coming from. The funds donated today include $600,000 to each organization – funds that will increase access to healthy food for those who need it most.

The company is building upon longstanding relationships with both organizations to address the serious issue of food insecurity in communities across the country. According to the same report, four million Canadians – including 1.34 million children – did not have adequate access to quality, nutritious food in 2015.

The donation includes $600,000 to support the Food Banks Canada food banking network and the National Food Sharing System, helping local food banks increase the amount of nutritious food options available to Canadian families. $600,000 will support Breakfast Club of Canada programs in schools across the country. According to teachers, the healthy meals and socialization provided through these programs result in improved attendance and punctuality, increased concentration, decreased bullying, and a renewed interest in curriculum subjects.

“We believe that all Canadian families deserve access to healthy food,” said Bob Hakeem, chief administrative officer, Walmart Canada. “Breakfast Club of Canada and Food Banks Canada are a vital part of Canadian communities and we are pleased and honoured to support these two commendable organizations so they can continue to help ensure Canadian families have enough food and Canadian children have a healthy start to their day.”

“The funds raised from today’s announcement will directly impact the lives of Canadian children,” said Daniel Germain, president and founder, Breakfast Club of Canada. “A healthy breakfast to start a child’s day is crucial in ensuring they are able to thrive, learn and flourish. Through these programs we are nourishing the potential of children.”

“According to our most recent HungerCount report, each month, Food Banks Canada, through its network of over 530 food banks, assists more than 850,000 people across the country,” said Katharine Schmidt, executive director, Food Banks Canada. “This donation enables us to acquire and share quality nutritious foods so families living with hunger can put food on the table,” she said.

Over the past 15 years, Walmart Canada has raised and donated more than $34 million to Breakfast Club of Canada. Since 2011, Walmart Canada has donated over $2 million to Food Banks Canada and an additional 3 million pounds of food. Today’s announcement expands on these partnerships and supports Walmart Canada’s goal of providing access to healthy food for all Canadians.