In 2010, in our wealthy city of Toronto, more than 36% of children live in poverty. The most recent United Way report outlined that the average family income in our city is $10,000 below the provincial average. Ontario has been called the child poverty capital of Canada and regrettably Toronto is then the child poverty capital within Ontario. In our Toronto, one in three of our children still lives in poverty.
Many of these same children come to school hungry. A recent survey conducted by the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) revealed that 41% of our children come to school without having eaten breakfast. We know that we are not reaching all our hungry secondary students. We know many nutrition programs forgo milk to stretch their money. Although, the Toronto Foundation for Student Success (TFSS) supports over 600 breakfast, lunch and snack programs that nourish 107,000 children each school day, there is still much work to do.
Add to hunger, the other family stresses that poverty brings for families new to Canada and as they struggle with the associated challenges of adapting to a new culture and often a new language. Additionally, thousands of children cannot see the blackboard or hear their teachers. The TFSS currently provides hearing and vision screening programs in 50 of our neediest schools through the Sprott Gift of Sight and Sound program. However, we need to double, at minimum, the number of programs we provide.
For many of our children, returning home to an empty house or apartment when the school day ends is a daily reality yet we know that it is between the hours of 3:30-6:30 p.m. is when children are most at risk of becoming involved in unconstructive behaviour. This was confirmed by the 2009 Toronto Vital Signs report. While our Beyond 3:30 program provides after school activities as well as snacks to children in 10 middle schools, in our neediest communities, the need for this type of program exists across the city.
Students under stress have difficulty learning - students under extreme stress cannot learn. Some of our students do not have enough to eat, some are living in minimal shelter, some are alone after the school day ends and many have medical needs that are not being addressed.
If education is the great economic and social leveler then we must ensure that our children in Toronto are ready and able to learn each school day.
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News17 Oct17 OctOn October 6th and 8th TDSB students took over the subway to raise funds to feed children.News05 OctAs the Feeding Toronto's Hungry Students Week progresses, news about students getting out in their communities and helping raise awareness for child hunger hits the media.News04 OctStudents gain life skills and confidence as part of middle-school program organized by the Toronto Foundation for Student Success and funded through the Toronto Community Foundation.News26 SeptHoops4Hope charity game Thursday, Sept. 22. welcomed Former Toronto Raptor Jerome "JYD" Williams to the North York high school to play alongside TDSB education director Chris Spence. The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) All-Stars staff basketball game was played to help raise funds for Blessings in a Backpack, a program that feeds elementary students who may not have enough to eat on weekends.News20 SeptRead more about how the project, entering its second year, is breaking down barriers to equal access to primary care.News17 SeptOn Saturday, September 17th the Jays Care Foundation hosted a group of beyond 3:30 participants and their parents to a spectacular afternoon at the Rogers Centre, in the Jays Care Community Clubhouse.News27 JulyThe tremendous community spirit of Best Buy employees was on display July 27 as they participated in a charity 3-pitch tournament on behalf of the TFSS to support student nutrition programs.News27 MayOn May 5, students of Ms Persaud’s business class at York Mills CI organized Viva York Mills! a Las Vegas-themed event to benefit the Hope in Action Emergency Fund.News31 MarThe Toronto District School Board's second pediatric clinic opened March 31 at George Webster Elementary School. The Paul D. Steinhauer Clinic will provide primary health care to about 800 children. George Webster is one of the schools in the TDSB Model Schools for Inner Cities Program, which aims to make the school the heart of the community and provide children with the resources they need to succeed. It is a partner in the clinic, as is the Toronto Foundation for Student Success.News10 MarCBC Toronto Vision Award for Immigrant Inclusion. Recipient: Toronto Foundation for Student Success (TFSS).News9 MarToronto Region Immigrant Employment Council congratulates one of this year's leaders and innovators, Toronto Foundation for Student Success, for winning CBC Toronto Vision Award for Immigrant Inclusion.News9 MarToronto Foundation for Student Success wins the IS (Immigrant Success) Award. Click here to read more.News2 DecYork Mills CI’s students hosted a fundraising event called Café for A Cause, raising $3,000 to the Hope In Action Emergency Fund!News -
17 DecThe $12,000 raised is going to the TFSS in support of the Hope in Action Emergency Fund.News
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The Fraser Mustard Awards is a biennial event that honours and recognizes the outstanding contributions and achievements of individuals who work with, and on behalf of, local children.Awards
TTC Take Over, Feeding Toronto Hungry Student Week | Watch Video
Banking on Knowledge launches at York Memorial CI | Watch Video
Event Photos
Feeding Toronto's Hungry Students Week Photos | Browse Here