Walmart Canada Announces $1.2 million Donation to Breakfast Club of Canada and Food Banks Canada

Addressing a significant need:
One in ten Canadians don't know where their next meal is coming from

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Dec. 8, 2015 /CNW/ - Walmart Canada today announced a 1.2 million dollar contribution to Breakfast Club of Canada and Food Banks Canada to support Canadian families in need. According to the 2015 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in Canada, one in ten Canadians and one in five children don't know where their next meal is coming from. The funds donated today include $600,000 to each organization – funds that will increase access to healthy food for those who need it most.

The company is building upon longstanding relationships with both organizations to address the serious issue of food insecurity in communities across the country. According to the same report, four million Canadians – including 1.34 million children – did not have adequate access to quality, nutritious food in 2015.

The donation includes $600,000 to support the Food Banks Canada food banking network and the National Food Sharing System, helping local food banks increase the amount of nutritious food options available to Canadian families. $600,000 will support Breakfast Club of Canada programs in schools across the country. According to teachers, the healthy meals and socialization provided through these programs result in improved attendance and punctuality, increased concentration, decreased bullying, and a renewed interest in curriculum subjects.

"We believe that all Canadian families deserve access to healthy food," said Bob Hakeem, chief administrative officer, Walmart Canada. "Breakfast Club of Canada and Food Banks Canada are a vital part of Canadian communities and we are pleased and honoured to support these two commendable organizations so they can continue to help ensure Canadian families have enough food and Canadian children have a healthy start to their day."

"The funds raised from today's announcement will directly impact the lives of Canadian children," said Daniel Germain, president and founder, Breakfast Club of Canada. "A healthy breakfast to start a child's day is crucial in ensuring they are able to thrive, learn and flourish. Through these programs we are nourishing the potential of children."

"According to our most recent HungerCount report, each month, Food Banks Canada, through its network of over 530 food banks, assists more than 850,000 people across the country," said Katharine Schmidt, executive director, Food Banks Canada. "This donation enables us to acquire and share quality nutritious foods so families living with hunger can put food on the table," she said.

Over the past 15 years, Walmart Canada has raised and donated more than $34 million to Breakfast Club of Canada. Since 2011, Walmart Canada has donated over $2 million to Food Banks Canada and an additional 3 million pounds of food. Today's announcement expands on these partnerships and supports Walmart Canada's goal of providing access to healthy food for all Canadians.

About Walmart Canada

Walmart Canada operates a growing chain of 396 stores nationwide serving more than 1.2 million customers each day. Walmart Canada's flagship online store, walmart.ca is visited by 450,000 customers daily. With more than 90,000 associates, Walmart Canada is one of Canada's largest employers and is ranked one of the country's top 10 most influential brands. Walmart Canada's extensive philanthropy program is focused on supporting Canadian families in need, and since 1994 Walmart has raised and donated more than $230 million to Canadian charities. Additional information can be found at walmartcanada.ca, facebook.com/walmartcanada and at twitter.com/walmartcanada.

About Breakfast Club of Canada

For 20 years, Breakfast Club of Canada has been nourishing children's potential by making sure as many of them as possible have access to a healthy morning meal before school, in an environment that allows their self-esteem to grow and flourish. But the Club is much more than a breakfast program: we take a broader approach that promotes the core values of engagement, enrichment and empowerment, and we team up with communities and local partners to develop solutions adapted to their specific needs. Operating from coast to coast, the Breakfast Club of Canada helps feed 167,000 students every day in 1,455 schools.

About Food Banks Canada

Food Banks Canada supports a unique network of over 3,000 food-related organizations in every province and territory that assists more than 850,000 Canadians each month. Together our network shares over 200 million pounds of essential safe quality food annually, provides social programs that help to foster self-sufficiency, and advocates for policy change that will help create a Canada where no one goes hungry. Visit foodbankscanada.ca for more information.

SOURCE Walmart Canada

For further information: Anika Malik, Walmart Canada, anika.malik@walmart.com, 416-562-8193; Lisa Clowery, Breakfast Club of Canada, Lisa.Clowery@breakfastclubcanada.org, 1-450-641-3230 ext. 3332 or 1-888-442-1217; Marzena Gersho, Food Banks Canada, marzena@foodbankscanada.ca, 647-242-5919 (mobile) or 416-203-9241 ext. 228 (office)