Ms. D’Amato cited research that shows a direct connection between learning and nutrition, and showed a short video produced by her organization about the benefits of the GBFB’s “Healthy Breakfast Backpack Program,” which currently serves 2,000 children a month. The GBFB hopes to be able to expand the program, to up to 8,000 children a month, to accommodate the growing need in Eastern Massachusetts. Ms. D’Amato said it might surprise students to know that hunger exists in affluent towns like Brookline and Newton, where she said community food pantries serve about 620 and 450 people a month, respectively.

She concluded by exhorting students to get involved in efforts to provide food to all those in need: “Age is no barrier; everyone can play a role in ending hunger.”

Please bring the items below for the GBFB’s “Healthy Breakfast Backpack Program” and place them in the labeled bins in the front foyer before the Presidents Day long weekend.

The teams are:

Grades 6 and 9 = The Cereal Group – oatmeal, cream of wheat, Cheerios, raisin bran, Go Lean

Grades 7 and 10 = The Juice Group – 100% fruit juice in shelf-stable cans or bottles. Apple, orange, grapefruit or tomato

Grades 8 and 11= The Fruit Group – canned or shelf-stable, unsweetened in its own juice. Pineapple, mixed fruit, peaches, or pears

Grade 12 and teachers = The Milk Group – low or nonfat milk, shelf-stable. Parmalat regular or chocolate; Carnation Instant non-fat dry or Carnation low-fat evaporated

Last year Beaver families collected 2,500 pounds of food — enough for 1,900 meals. Let’s top that figure this year!