This month, we’re showcasing a handful of our phenomenal community leaders during ONFE’s Love Campaign. First up is our long-time partner, IKEA Ottawa.

 

Fun fact: IKEA Ottawa’s support of the School Breakfast Program predates ONFE’s inception. In fact, the modern furniture retailer has been a fan of the School Breakfast Program for more than fifteen years! When asked about our continued partnership, Julie, Communications Responsible at IKEA Ottawa, refers to ONFE as a “silent hero, helping children in so many more ways than just a breakfast.”

A misconception of our breakfast program is that it isn’t in high demand, an assumption that Julie and her team at IKEA refute. “In Ottawa, more than 13,500 children are going to school with an empty stomach, and we are proud to support ONFE’s School Breakfast Program to enable children to start their day with well-nourished bodies so that they can develop well-nourished minds. Supporting ONFE allows IKEA Ottawa to make a positive change in our local community, ensuring as many children in Ottawa have access to a healthy morning meal.”

The IKEA team has seen first-hand the positive impacts of the breakfast program for children and youth in Ottawa: “During the breakfast packing at the IKEA Ottawa store, IKEA co-workers have personally thanked School Breakfast Program team members, because at one point, some of our co-workers had been recipients of the program. You might be surprised to know who and how many it helps in our community.”

Though our School Breakfast Program has an extensive reach in the city, it is far from being ONFE’s only program. “When you hear ‘ONFE’, perhaps what comes to mind is the School Breakfast Program, or volunteering within the Ottawa school boards. ONFE is so much more than that. These programs engage kids beyond the classroom, provide a chance to start their day with a nutritious meal, more prepared to learn, and finish their day confident and ready to take on the next challenge.” We couldn’t agree more, Julie!

Over these last several years, IKEA has contributed more than $57,000 to ONFE’s School Breakfast Program. Their generous contributions started out as donation boxes at cash lanes and expanded to include staff volunteer opportunities and donations of food and product, totaling over $3,000 annually! ONFE’s programming, including the School Breakfast Program, isn’t possible without the commitment of amazing community partners, like IKEA. We are grateful for their generous and ongoing support.

On behalf of the thousands of students our School Breakfast Program reaches every school day, thank you, IKEA!

Did you know that, every year, ONFE’s School Breakfast Program distributes over 2.5 million nutritious meals to children and youth across Ottawa? To sustain the program, we need to raise more than $550,000 annually. You can make a direct impact on the students in our community by becoming a monthly donor, planning an event on our behalf, or partnering with us. Your donation will help a child eat, learn and succeed!