How the most important meal of the day can change a child’s life 

Self Realisation 

As I am starting to grow older, I realise how important it is to start your day the right way. It is really important to follow your morning rituals before starting your day, but it’s difficult to match your pace with life these days, which leads to overlooking certain important things in the morning, like breakfast, for instance. I tend to skip my breakfast so many times before I leave for college because I am always short on time, and by the time college ends, I am starving from hunger. 

Introduction of TCBC 

One fine day in class, our professor invited Mr. Rick Gosling from The Children’s Breakfast Club to talk to us about his initiative associated with the organisation. It was really surprising to know that the organisation has been working tirelessly to serve breakfast to children every morning for just a quarter. They provide approximately 5,000 meals every single day, which not only involves breakfast but lunch as well, now in about 27 schools across southern Ontario. Asking for nothing but supplies to support children’s growth, this act of selflessness struck a chord with me. This got me thinking about the importance of breakfast and why it is hailed as the most significant meal of the day. 

An Impact was made 

The takeaways that impacted me the most were that no food was ever wasted, and children could have unlimited servings of it. According to Mr. Gosling, kids often eat everything once they engage with each other, letting go of their tantrums to not eat vegetables. The organisation is focusing on the children’s holistic development; apart from breakfast, they are also focusing on providing kids with school supplies and bicycle programs, as well as helping them receive their driving licences. A healthy meal provided by them helps children not only nourish their body and mind but also lay a strong foundation for their future. 

Backing breakfast with some research 

Breakfast helps replenish the stores of nutrients and energy in the body, and breaks the fasting period after an individual’s overnight sleep. Intake of breakfast helps an individual boost energy levels and alertness, providing the body with essential nutrients. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 13% of school-aged kids skip breakfast. This number jumps to more than 27%, on average, for adolescents aged 12 to 19 years. Females start skipping breakfast earlier than males and skip more regularly. This handful of research is enough to prove that a healthy meal inside can provide a bright future outside. 

What can we do? 

To begin with, as caregivers, parents or individual people, we can reinforce the importance of breakfast as the most important meal of the day. Because it is not just about highlighting TCBC and many other organisations that run breakfast programs for children selflessly, but also about increasing awareness about giving the day a healthy start. 

Play Your Part In This Journey 

After going through TCBC’s journey, I became aware. A sense of responsibility awoke in me when I realised that, as individuals, we can do so much for these children. Even a small help in terms of school supplies, groceries, or monetary compensation can help foster so many meals for children across Ontario. Let’s make every breakfast count. 

To learn more about TCBC and their initiatives or to become an active volunteer. 

Visit this website: https://breakfastclubs.ca/

Author: Akriti Batra