Every school day, the Ottawa Network for Education (ONFE) serves meals and snacks in over 200 local schools – giving students the chance to start their day ready to learn on equal footing with their peers.

Senators Community Foundation logo

Donate today and your donation will be matched by the
Senators Community Foundation!*

*The Senators Community Foundation will match donations up to a total of $50,000 now through October 1, 2024.

As we gear up for the new school year, it’s more important than ever to ensure our children and youth have the nourishment they need to succeed. Every school day, ONFE provides over 22,000 meals and snacks to students across all four public school boards. This need reflects the harsh reality of rising food costs and economic pressures.

One-third of elementary school students and two-thirds of secondary school students do not eat a nutritious breakfast before school. When children and youth attend school hungry or undernourished, their energy levels, memory, problem-solving skills, creativity, concentration, and other cognitive functions all suffer. This not only affects their academic performance but also their overall well-being and potential.

Your support is crucial in helping us combat this challenge. By contributing to ONFE’s School Breakfast Program, you are directly impacting the lives of thousands of local students, ensuring they start their school day with the fuel they need to thrive. Your generosity can help us meet the growing demand and make this school year the best one yet for our students.

School Breakfast Program volunteer packing lunch bags with breakfast items

You can help provide nutritious meals to local children and youth.

Six young children wearing snow suits line up to receive food from an adult coordinator. The children are facing away from the camera and are in a classroom.
School Breakfast Programs increase student’s sense of engagement and belonging.
A plate of brown muffins with white wrappers on a white plate, next to a stack of multi colour plastic plates with a white bowl filled with red apples in the foreground
Student Breakfast Programs promote greater nutritional awareness.
Seven children have their backs to the camera as they await being served breakfast inside of a school. An adult is preparing fruits for them behind a counter.
School Breakfast Programs help improve cognitive function, concentration, and behaviour in the classroom.

A nutritious breakfast is the launch-pad for a full day of focused learning.

Black girl wearing red glasses and a pink shirt looking at camera smiling while sitting between classmates surrounded by healthy lunch foods

Donate today and your donation will be matched by the
Senators Community Foundation!*

*The Senators Community Foundation will match donations up to a total of $50,000 now through October 1, 2024.

About ONFE’s School Breakfast Program

The Ottawa Network for Education (ONFE) has delivered the School Breakfast Program since 1990, in partnership with Ottawa’s four school boards and with the generous support of donors and funders. ONFE’s School Breakfast Program is committed to ensuring that all students in the Ottawa region continue to have access to a healthy and nutritious breakfast, setting them up for success both in the classroom and in life.