No Kid Hungry Georgia has awarded $40,000 in grants to support breakfast programs at twelve schools across the state. The funding boosts Breakfast After the Bell initiatives, a program that increases access to school breakfast by bringing breakfast out of the cafeteria and making it a part of the school day.
More than 500,000 students in Georgia qualify for school meal assistance but aren’t currently participating in a school breakfast program. Research shows that hunger has long-term ramifications on children, including lower test scores, weaker attendance rates, and a higher risk of hospitalizations and chronic diseases. No Kid Hungry Georgia and its partners focus on Breakfast After the Bell as a critical way to end childhood hunger in across the state.
Accessing traditional cafeteria breakfast service can be challenging for many students. Breakfast After the Bell provides breakfast in a way that is more convenient and accessible to students, resulting in increased student participation.
“We are pleased to offer these grants to ensure that all students can start their day with a healthy breakfast,” said Eleni Towns, associate director for the No Kid Hungry campaign. “Through the important work school districts are doing every day to prioritize school breakfast, we are moving Georgia closer to the goal of No Kid Hungry.”
The following schools received funding in the latest round of No Kid Hungry breakfast grants:
- Garden Hills Elementary School, Atlanta Public Schools
- Ballard Hudson Middle School, Bibb County School District
- Pine Mountain Middle School, Cobb County School District
- West Haralson Elementary School, Haralson County School District
- Thomas County Central High School, Thomas County Schools
- MacIntyre Park Middle School, Thomasville City Schools
- Jerger Elementary School, Thomasville City Schools
- Harper Elementary School, Thomasville City Schools
- Turner County Middle School, Turner County School District
- Worth County High School, Worth County School District
- Gum Spring Elementary School, Jackson County Schools
Research indicates that eating breakfast at school helps children improve classroom performance, attendance and promotes healthy habits.