What is Breakfast2Music?
B2M is a not-for-profit society that helps to provide access to nutritious breakfasts to hungry school children within Victoria’s School District #61 and also support their music programs.
How are funds distributed?
Schools apply for them. B2M’s decisions are based on need, numbers, if they have received funding in the past and on funds available. 75% of each $1.00 goes towards breakfast programs and 25% is earmarked for music programs, unless otherwise specified by the donor.
What does it cost to feed a child breakfast for a year?
The cost to feed a child healthy snacks is around $20/month ($1/day) and a full hot breakfast costs up to $40/month ($2/day).
What’s a typical breakfast?
It’s an opportunity for a kid to have a nutritious and balanced meal or snack of carbs, fruit, dairy and other proteins. Some schools can provide hot breakfasts, while others can’t because they don’t have the facilities to prepare them. For more information, see Act Now BC’s School Meal and School Nutrition Handbook.
Which schools has B2M supported in the past?
Since May 2018, B2M has distributed $117,000 to the following schools: McKenzie, Tillicum, Vic West, George Jay, Quadra and Northridge elementary schools; Shoreline, Lansdowne, Cedar Hill and Rockheights middle schools; and Reynolds and Esquimalt high schools.
Thanks to major contributions from the corporate sector; grants from the Grocery Foundation of Canada and Rotary Victoria Harbourside Club and private donations from generous individuals like you, this has been made possible. And we want to help more!
How about administrative costs?
All work is done by volunteers, so that 100% of donations go to school breakfast and music programs. Blue Heron Advisory Group is currently sponsoring admin costs that go towards stationary, printing, etc.
Why music programs?
Children exposed to music and school music programs show greater concentration and focus and their math and social skills tend to be stronger.
Why is breakfast so important?
Breakfast is vital for young brains and bodies, which need proper nourishment to thrive, learn and focus. As the Chief Public Health Officer reported in 2008: “When children go to school hungry or poorly nourished, their energy levels, memory, problem‐solving skills, creativity, concentration and behaviour are all negatively impacted.” (Report on the State of Public Health in Canada, 2008)
Hungry school children in Victoria?!
Yes! And it’s a growing problem. A number of reliable sources report that child poverty rates are high and that support is needed in our schools. The 2020 BC Child Poverty Report Card, using pre-pandemic stats, reported that 15% of children in Greater Victoria were living in poverty. That’s 1 in 7 or 9,290 kids! Many of these kids may be starting their day hungry and needing breakfast or healthy snacks for nourishment which we want to help provide.
How can I contribute?
You can make a tax-deductible donation online at Canada Helps or make a cheque out to “The Victoria Foundation”, noting ”for the Breakfast2Music Society fund”. Receipts are issued for donations over $20. And check out our event and news listing below for other ways to get involved in the community.
Please check our compilation of facts about child poverty in Victoria.
Sources:
• Act Now BC School Meal and Nutrition Program Handbook
• The Chief Public Health Officer’s Report on the State of Public Health in Canada 2008 (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2008)
• “School breakfast programs boost student performance” Published May 11, 2012 and updated in 2018 the Globe and Mail
• 2020 First Call Report Card