Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada receives grant to help deliver brighter futures for children and youth
TORONTO, ON (March 25, 2013) – Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada (BGCC) is thrilled to receive a $250,000 grant from President’s Choice® Children’s Charity to implement the President’s Choice® Children’s Charity Basic Needs, Brighter Futures program in 37 clubs across the country.
Through the President’s Choice® Children’s Charity Basic Needs, Brighter Futures program, BGCC is able to provide nourishing meals and snacks to their members, teach the importance of good nutrition and exercise and help instill lifelong healthy eating habits.
“Working closely with children and youth each day, our Boys and Girls Clubs know that it is vital for young people to have the balanced nutrition their growing bodies need,” said Pam Jolliffe, president and CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. “Access to nutritious foods and education related to food early in life sets up positive habits that last a lifetime and ultimately reduces the long-term impact on our health care system.”
Since 2011, the Basic Needs, Brighter Futures program has been granted $375,000 from President’s Choice® Children’s Charity.
Nationally, some programs that have benefitted from this grant include a healthier snack program for at risk youth at BGCC Wolf Creek, AB, teen drop-in centre, while in Truro and Colchester, NS, members of the BGCC had access to fruits and vegetables after-school, giving them more energy to play and learn.
“We are delighted to see an immediate impact and firsthand the benefits an investment such as this can bring,” said Peggy Hornell, executive director, President’s Choice® Children’s Charity “We are proud to be able to further our relationship with Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada to ensure more children and youth across Canada have access to the nutritious foods they need during the critical after-school period.”
About Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada
Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada is a leading charitable organization providing after school programs that support the physical, educational and social development of children, youth and their families each year. Boys and Girls Clubs operate in 650 locations across Canada and have been helping young Canadians to discover, develop and achieve their potential for over 110 years. To learn more, visit www.bgccan.com.
About President’s Choice® Children’s Charity
President's Choice® Children's Charity is committed to helping children across Canada, with a focus on supporting children with disabilities and fighting childhood hunger. The cost of administration and operations of the Charity is funded by Loblaw Companies Limited, ensuring that 100 per cent of every dollar donated goes to helping kids and their families. The Charity offers funding across Canada and dollars are granted in the region in which they are raised. Since 1989, the Charity has awarded more than $86 million, reaching more than 15,500 families. For more information on the President's Choice® Children's Charity or to donate online, visit pc.ca/charity.
Media contacts:
Travis Parnaby, Senior Communications Specialist, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, 905.477.7272 ext. 270, tparnaby@bgccan.com
Loblaw Public Relations on behalf of President’s Choice® Children’s Charity, pr@loblaw.ca (905) 459-2500