Food Pantries and Breakfast Club Support Makes Big Impact

“Having a bowl of Weet-Bix that my kids can make for themselves helps me to cope, knowing that they’re eating something that is really good for them,” an emotional mother shared with volunteers at the Five Loaves Pantry at Lake Haven, New South Wales, Australia.

It is a scene all too common at food pantries, food relief networks, and school breakfast programs across Australia and New Zealand as the rising cost of living and follow-on effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to cripple many households. 

Foodbank Australia CEO Brianna Casey explained that food relief is an ongoing and critically important part of the solution to the circumstances that put people into food insecurity, such as poverty, domestic violence, housing affordability, and under-employment. 

Sanitarium supports Foodbank with donated serves for distribution through the Foodbank nationwide network of food pantries, emergency relief services, and breakfast clubs.

“We all get told breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but many don’t realize that for some children, it is vital for their learning,” Casey explained. “We know that children feel less hungry, are happier, have more energy, and their behavior improves. Many parents comment that their children’s school performance and attendance improve.” 

Sanitarium is also a supporter of the KickStart for Kids breakfast club in South Australia. Operated by Ian Steel, KickStart coordinates breakfast clubs in 360 South Australian schools.

“The kids we support live isolated, often transient lifestyles, but sooner or later they end up at a school breakfast club,” Steel said. “Weet-Bix gets them to school and gets them through school. Breakfast club is the one thing they can rely on. 

“Sanitarium is a loyal foundation partner all the way through, especially in these really troubled times. As a charity partner, if we’re ever low on product, I can make a call and know Sanitarium will answer.”

About Sanitarium Health Food Company

Sanitarium was the first company to introduce healthy breakfast foods to Australians. The company promoted plant-based eating long before it was trendy. It’s often said that Sanitarium changed Australia’s eating habits. 

Weet-Bix is one of Australia’s most iconic brands and the top-selling and most trusted breakfast cereal in the country. Newer varieties include Gluten-Free Weet-Bix, Weet-Bix Bites, Weet-Bix Blends, and Weet-Bix GO. Most recently, Sanitarium launched Weet-Bix Cholesterol Lowering. “For more than 80 years, Weet-Bix has ensured Australians families have a nutritious start to their day, every day,” company leaders reported.

The original version of this story was posted by Adventist Record.