For the Love of Breakfast

Susan loved breakfast.  A bowl of bran flakes with a miniature box of raisins and low fat milk, followed by a small glass of orange juice and a piece of whole wheat toast with a little protein – cheese or peanut butter.  Maybe an egg.  Nothing or no one could get in the way of her morning meal.

Susan also loved learning.  The classroom was the place where she felt most at home.  The first 25 years of her life were particularly happy – when her work was learning.  In her struggle with anxiety and depression at midlife, she found hope for the future in opportunities to continue her education.

Back in the 70s when Susan was in high school, the connection between food and learning was not well understood or documented.  Today, we know that a hungry student is more likely to perform poorly and to be angry, listless and disengaged.  We also know that Eastwood Collegiate Institute, the high school where Susan spent five formative years, has become a place where a very high percentage of students start their day without breakfast.  The concentration of poverty in the neighbourhoods around the school is one of the greatest in Waterloo Region.

After Susan died suddenly a few months ago at 50, we decided to create Susan's Change Purse – a new fund to help the Eastwood community start a conversation and take action on food-related issues.  Currently, the need for the school's meal voucher program is greater than the resources available.  We want to help meet the need and start shrinking it over time.  We're calling this work The Eastwood Food Project.

Susan was all for taking small steps toward big dreams, and she was as careful with money as she was generous.  So, we hope to raise small amounts of money from a large number of people -- in the $5 - $20 range.  This money will be used to seed student-led activities within the school and neighbourhood tied to food access and security as well as understanding the connection between food, the local economy and the environment.

Forming young leaders.  Benefiting from the diversity of the Eastwood community.  Deepening every student’s sense of belonging through these activities.  We'll also keep these three priorities in mind as we do this work together.

In the months ahead, we'll be posting updates and providing links to helpful information.  Maybe you'll be inspired to get involved.  For the love of Susan whose future was stolen by a terrible illness.  For the love of young people whose futures depend on a good education.  And for the love of the planet upon which all our futures depend.