Across Australia, too many children are starting the school day hungry. In recent years, around 36% of Australian households experienced moderate to severe food insecurity, while children made up 22% of Queenslanders experiencing hunger according to the Foodbank Hunger Report.
That’s why Variety – the Children’s Charity of Queensland is proud to support the expansion of the YMCA Schools’ Breakfast Program across Queensland.
For many children, breakfast is more than just a meal. It can mean the difference between struggling to concentrate and feeling ready to learn and participate in the classroom.
But the program is about more than food. The Breakfast Program is designed to create long-term positive impact by helping children build healthy eating habits while also creating safe, welcoming spaces before the school day begins. The program supports learning readiness, attendance and participation, while reducing the stigma often associated with food insecurity.
Variety Queensland’s commitment to helping children who are sick, experiencing disadvantage or living with disabilities reach their full potential aligns strongly with Y Queensland’s vision for healthy, connected and thriving communities.
Partnerships for Change
"This partnership with Variety – the Children’s Charity of Queensland is helping us reach more young people in regional and high-need communities with the support they need to start the day ready to learn." - Damian Foley, CEO of Y Queensland.
Set Up for Success
This program supports positive behavioural outcomes in the classroom while strengthening student engagement and connection to school. By creating the right foundations for learning, it can also positively impact academic performance.
Real Impact
Over 44,000+ children on any one day with a healthy breakfast; on average over 130,000 meals each week across 431+ schools in South East Queensland.
Variety’s funding is expected to deliver an additional 157,000 meals this year.
Exploring New Ways
Variety is an innovative and responsive organisation. Where there is need, we will explore new ways that we can support children who are sick, experiencing disadvantage or living with disabilities to live without limits.
Healthy Starts for Healthy Futures
Together, We Can Help Kids Start the Day Right
By sponsoring this initiative, your organisation can make a direct and meaningful impact in the lives of children across Queensland.
Your support helps provide healthy breakfasts to children who may otherwise start the school day hungry, giving them the fuel they need to focus, learn, participate and feel ready for the day ahead.
We would love to explore partnership opportunities with your organisation and discuss how, together, we can help more children start each school day nourished, supported and ready to thrive.
