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Studies clearly indicate the importance of nutrition, especially when accessed as at breakfast, influencing a student's ability to learn and achieve academically. For some students, the financial challenges of families limits their access to sufficient and/or nutritious food choices, while for others, there are a multitude of reasons why their daily nutritional intake is insufficient. Early morning and long bus rides, an inability to eat early in the morning, part time jobs, early morning extracurricular sports or pratices and family nutritional habits are but a few of the reasons the required nutritional daily intake for students may be challenged.
School programs provide not only access to nutrition, but education, role modeling and the introduction of new and different food selections. They provide opportunities for socialization, leadership and life skill development, and volunteer experiences for our students ... and for today's generation of students, to know that they live in a community where there are many who CARE, ensuring that they have are able to attend school "well nourished and ready to learn".
On behalf of the 20,403 elementary and secondary school students and Jumpstart Sudent Nutrition Program Community Partnership, our sincere appreciation is extended to the many volunteers, donors and supporters who have made it possible for these children and youth to access breakfast, lunch and snack programs during the 2009-10 school year. We acknowledge those who are in schools before dawn to start breakfast programs, ready for their 100 ... or 200 early morning (and hungry) guests who will arrive each day, and those who work behind the scenes preparing trays of fresh fruits or vegetables for full school snack programs, those who take care of administrative work or share their technical skills and abilities, and others who generously donate monetarily and/or products. Combined, the dedication and resources of many make it possible for these students to attend school "well nourished and ready to learn."
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