Media Release: Feed Tomorrow Week October 19-23

2015 Feed Tomorrow Week Media Release (PDF)

MEDIA RELEASE

TO ALL ASSIGNMENT EDITORS/EDUCATION EDITORS

For Immediate Release

Feed Tomorrow Week: Students and Chefs Raise Awareness About Child Hunger

TORONTO, October 19, 2015 – 1 out of 3 children in Toronto lives in poverty and more than 170,000 students rely on breakfast, snacks, or lunch in Toronto District School Board’s (TDSB) 750 sites that host school-based nutrition programs to make it through the day. The Toronto Foundation for Student Success (TFSS), the independent charitable organization of the TDSB, will be hosting a week of events dedicated to feeding Toronto’s hungry students and nourishing hungry minds. Joining TFSS for these great events will be Chefs Nick Liu and Brad Long, as well as other VIPs including health and wellness expert, Rose Reisman.

The City of Toronto has proclaimed October 19 – 23 the 11^th annual Feed Tomorrow week, five days that will see student volunteers, educators, TFSS supporters, politicians, and public figures raising awareness and collecting pledges to help feed Toronto’s hungry students. During this week communities across Toronto will come together in support of our children.

“It’s simple – hungry kids can’t learn,” said TFSS Chair Alice Eastman. “There are young people coming to school who have eaten nothing the evening before. We need the support of the Toronto community to be able to provide much needed nutrition programs for the students who need them.”

• Tuesday, October 20^th – ACE Bakery Student Snack Down, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Rockcliffe Middle School, 400 Rockcliffe Boulevard, Toronto

ACE Bakery, as part of their staff-led fundraising drive, will deliver 6-foot long baguettes to 18 beyond 3:30 after-school programs across the city. Working together, ACE staff, students and nutrition staff will prepare amazing creations that will be eaten during snack time. Rockcliffe Middle School (400 Rockcliffe Boulevard) is “Snack Down Central”.

• Wednesday, October 21^st – Nutrition Program Bus Tour followed by a VIP Reception, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. St. Lawrence Market, 92 Front Street East

A group of VIPs will travel on school buses, student style, to Thorncliffe Park Public School and First Nations School of Toronto where they will see nutrition programs in action. They will meet with community volunteers and children, and learn first-hand about the need these programs address. At 11:30 a.m. a VIP Reception takes place at the St. Lawrence Market Kitchen.

• Thursday, October 22^nd – TTC Take Over Days, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. St. Patrick Station

Enthusiastic secondary student volunteers will occupy Toronto subway stations during the evening rush hours to inform commuters about student hunger and fill donation tins for nutrition and food-related programs. Media opportunities are available at St. Patrick Station.

• Wednesday, October 21^st (5050 Yonge) and Thursday, October 22^nd (1 Civic Court) – TDSB Administrative Breakfasts 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.

TDSB administrative staff will be able to enjoy a full breakfast for $5.00, with funds raised going to nutrition and food related programs across the city.

• Friday, October 23^rd – Wrap Up with Rice Culinary Competition, 10:15 – 11:30 a.m. President’s Choice Cooking School located at the Loblaws® store at Maple Leaf Gardens*

High School students in the TDSB’s Hospitality, Culinary Arts and Tourism Program will roll up their sleeves and compete in a culinary contest for a chance to win some “dough” for their school’s nutrition program and some bragging rights for their class. A panel of judges, including Chefs Nick Liu and Brad Long, as well as health and wellness expert, Rose Reisman, will select the winning dish.

“Feed Tomorrow is a significant event and we all need to be involved,” said TFSS Executive Director, Catherine Parsonage. “It provides an opportunity for all of us to get out in our communities and help raise awareness about child hunger.”

With the support of students, educators, local communities, and businesses, Feed Tomorrow brings us “one step closer” to making sure that no child starts the school day hungry.

*Reg’d TM. Lic’d use.

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For more information, please contact:

Mary Luz Mejia
416.992.2644
mluzy@hotmail.com

Catherine Parsonage, Executive Director & CEO
Toronto Foundation for Student Success
416.394.7475
catherine.parsonage@tdsb.on.ca