Food Fuels Futures
Did you know? According to the Breakfast Club of Canada, 1 in 3 children are going to school without breakfast. Unfortunately, they are often coming back home to an empty fridge and later, no dinner. We’ve all heard the saying that 'breakfast is the most important meal of the day' - of course some would disagree, but when it comes to kids and learning, you bet it's important!
Here’s some food for thought from Sakeenah:
Feeding The Mind
Food isn’t only for the stomach, but for the brain! There is a direct correlation between being well fed and having a better individual performance in learning, as well as being a positive contributor to classroom situations.
Recent study revealed that children who receive a school meal attend school four to seven days more than children who do not. Not only does food improve attendance records, it also improves the overall learning experience by removing feelings of tiredness or stress, increasing energy, improving concentration and regaining focus! Eating even enables less disruptive behaviour in general. It impacts the overall school environment, academic achievements, and future.
Food Impacts Girls Differently
Although it is important for all children to be provided food in order to perform well in school, it can be even more so for girls. In many cultures, a girls’ education is seen as secondary (yes, even in Canada). It can be very undervalued and not prioritized in the household, compared to her brothers.
By not being able to succeed in school due to a lack of food, her confidence can create barriers to her potential. To the point where a secondary education could easily be dismissed or once again, undervalued. The risk of a lower educational standard can affect her future profoundly. From the inability to earn her own income, to critical thinking in decision making, inequality in relationships, lack of representation in society, low self esteem, and the list goes on.
As an organization that works with women who lack in many of these areas, and help build these tools/skills at our homes, we are advocates of setting off any barriers earlier on in a girl’s life. Our girls deserve the opportunity to change circumstances for themselves, and it can be as simple as fuelling their minds with the food as young students!
Our Role in Food Insecurity
With food costs predicted to continue rising another 5%-7% more this year, so will the number of children attending school on empty stomachs. Nearly 2 million kids in Canada were at risk of going to school hungry in 2022 alone, and we understand that our community is also a part of that suffering.
Sakeenah recognizes the growing issue of food insecurity, the risk to quality of life, and its direct impact on young minds. We have served low-income families in the GTA through our free food program called The People’s Market for this reason. After almost 2 years of operating, we continue to strive to provide more as demand grows.
You can play a part in making this difference by helping us collect essential meals and items for kids belonging to low income families. Let’s ensure that these kids arrive at school well fed and ready to conquer the world!
Items can be dropped off at 5659 McAdam Road, Unit B3, Mississauga. You can contact themarket@sakeenahcanada.com for any questions.
References:
Fitz-Gerald, Julie “Food Insecurity in Canada: 1 in 3 Children Risks Going to School without Breakfast.” CTV News, www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/food-insecurity-in-canada-1-in-3-children-risks-going-to-school-without-breakfast-1.5767948
Mae Jones, Alexandra “Food Prices Are Expected to Keep Going up by Five to Seven per Cent in 2023: Report.” CTV News, www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/food-prices-are-expected-to-keep-going-up-by-five-to-seven-per-cent-in-2023-report-1.6345014
Johnston, K “School Food Matters.” Canadian Feed the Children, canadianfeedthechildren.ca/the-feed/school-food-matters/
Written by Saima Zaidi - Social Media & Content Coordinator at Sakeenah Canada. I love to write and create content that prompts deep thinking. My beige flag is that I eat pizza backwards, crust first!
About Sakeenah
Sakeenah, a national charitable organization, was founded in 2018 in response to a gap for culturally and religiously sensitive services for women and children facing domestic violence and homelessness. Since then, our services have expanded to include mental health therapy and counseling. Sakeenah has also started The People’s Market, a food program that helps combat food insecurity and most recently, Sakeenah became the first licensed foster care agency for Muslim children in all of North America. We currently operate 7 transitional homes across Canada: Toronto, Brampton, Milton, London, Montreal, Ottawa, and Winnipeg.
For inquiries, please contact:
Afiyah Mohammed
Marketing Manager
P: 1-888-671-3446 Ext. 128
