Grocery store retailers across Canada participate in the Toonies for Tummies campaign with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to students in need.
Sherwood Park, AB. — Sobeys and Safeways locations in Sherwood Park have raised close to $26,000 for Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) students during a campaign called Toonies for Tummies. “This money will be used to fuel students’ bodies and minds, so they can do their best learning,” says Laurie Borle, an employee at EIPS who coordinated the Division’s participation. “We can’t thank these grocery stores and their customers enough for their continued support year after year.”
Toonies for Tummies is a charitable campaign which sees participating grocery stores in Western Canada, Ontario and Atlantic Canada help raise money for hungry children. Grocery stores collect toonies from their customers and send 100 per cent of the proceeds to students in need.
Donations from the Sobeys and Safeways have been distributed to 29 schools—the funds will be used to buy healthy snacks and meals, in addition to supplementing nutrition programs already in place. “Sadly, we’ve seen more and more students come to school without lunches and families struggling with meals at home,” says Borle. “Initiatives like Toonies for Tummies help ease some of this stress and get students the nutrition they need to succeed.”
Several other initiatives Sobeys has supported include:
- Second Harvest programs
- Taste Testers
- Snack Attack
While grocery stores participate in the campaign, the Grocery Foundation oversees the administration of Toonies for Tummies. “We believe that no child should go to school hungry,” says Shaun McKenna, the Executive Director at the Grocery Foundation. “Unfortunately, it is estimated that as many as one in three children are at risk of going to school on an empty stomach. The campaign raises much needed funds for these children, supporting over 3,000 student nutrition programs across Canada. Something as simple as a toonie can provide a breakfast for a child and set them up for success that school day and beyond.”
Individuals can donate to the Toonies for Tummies campaign either online or in-store. See the Grocery Foundation’s website for when different grocery retailers are accepting in-store donations.
Elk Island Public Schools is one of Alberta’s largest school divisions, serving approximately 17,750 students in 42 schools. We are proud to be an integral part of our communities, including Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Vegreville, Strathcona and Lamont counties, and the western portion of the County of Minburn.
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For more information, media can contact:
Laura McNabb, Director, Communication Services, EIPS 780-417-8204 cell 780-405-4902