TORONTO, Oct. 21, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, President's Choice® Children's Charity (PCCC) announced $3.3 million in funding to the PCCC Basic Needs Brighter Future Program in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada and Breakfast for Learning in order to provide healthy meals and snacks across Canada to more than
446,000 kids each day during the 2013/14 school year.
The gift ceremony took place at St. Mary's Catholic Elementary School
located in Toronto in an enthusiastic atmosphere, in the presence of
Ontario's Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Deb Matthews, St.
Mary's students and teachers, as well as Loblaw banner store colleagues
and friends of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada and Breakfast for Learning.
Deb Matthews, Ontario's Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, was also
pleased to support President's Choice® Children's Charity's gift. "Our government knows that healthy food is key to our children's
health and educational success. This donation will strengthen student
nutrition programs in Ontario schools by helping more children reach
their full potential, wherever their learning takes them."
The gift presentations were made by President's Choice® Children's Charity's executive director, Peggy Hornell.
"One in 10 children in Canada living below the poverty line is a bit
shocking," said Peggy Hornell, executive director, President's Choice® Children's Charity. "It's great to know that through our partnerships with Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and Breakfast for Learning we are able to help young people with a healthy snack or meal as part
of their day."
Samantha David from Breakfast for Learning attended the ceremony to accept the $2.8 million gift on behalf of the
charity.
"Hunger is a barrier to learning," said Samantha David, executive
director, Breakfast for Learning. "President's Choice® Children's Charity's transformational gift of $2.8 million will help Breakfast for Learning feed children's success through support of more than 2,200 school
nutrition programs across Canada, including funding for 86 Aboriginal
programs this school year."
Denise Silverstone was also present to accept the $500K gift on behalf
of Boys and Girls Club of Canada.
"Belonging to a Boys and Girls Club is often a life-changing experience.
The $500K gift presented to us today from the President's Choice® Children's Charity will allow us to provide healthy snacks and nutritional education for
all of our kids across the country," said Denise Silverstone, National
Program Director, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada.
Following the gift ceremony the students and teachers of St. Mary's
Catholic Elementary School were treated to a healthy snack of PC® Partly Skimmed Milk and PC® Whole Grain Cereal Bars before returning to their busy school day.
One hundred per cent of funds raised for President's Choice® Children's Charity by Loblaw banner stores like Loblaws®, Zehrs®, Your Independent GrocerTM, valu-mart®, Fortinos®, Real Canadian Superstore®, Real Canadian Wholesale Club®, Extra Foods®, nofrills®, Atlantic Superstore®, Dominion® (Newfoundland and Labrador only), SaveEasy®, Maxi®, Maxi & Cie®, Provigo®, Cash & Carry®, Club Entrepot® and Les Entrepots Presto® go directly to helping kids in communities across Canada.
Make a Positive Difference in the Community is one of the five corporate
social responsibility principles that shape the way Loblaw conducts
business. Fundraising initiatives in support of President's Choice® Children's Charity is just one example of how Loblaw banner stores
continue to be active in communities on national, regional and local
levels.
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, supporting more than 1.3 million children. For more
information on the President's Choice® Children's Charity or to donate online, visit pc.ca/charity.
About Loblaw Companies Limited (TSX: L)
Loblaw Companies Limited, a subsidiary of George Weston Limited, is
Canada's largest food retailer and a leading provider of drugstore,
general merchandise and financial products and services. Loblaw is one
of the largest private sector employers in Canada. With more than 1,000
corporate and franchised stores from coast to coast, Loblaw and its
franchisees employ more than 134,000 full-time and part-time employees.
Through its portfolio of store formats, Loblaw is committed to
providing Canadians with a wide, growing and successful range of
products and services to meet the everyday household demands of
Canadian consumers. Loblaw is known for the quality, innovation and
value of its food offering. It offers Canada's strongest control
(private) label program, including the unique President's Choice®, no name® and Joe Fresh® brands. In addition, the Company makes available to consumers
President's Choice Financial® services and offers the PC® points and PC Plus™ loyalty program.
SOURCE President's Choice Children's Charity
Image with caption: "President's Choice® Children's Charity (PCCC) announced $3.3 million in funding to the PCCC Basic Needs Brighter Future Program in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada and Breakfast for Learning in order to provide healthy meals and snacks across Canada to more than 446,000 kids each day during the 2013/14 school year (CNW Group/President's Choice Children's Charity)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131021_C5727_PHOTO_EN_32324.jpg
