THE Port Adelaide Football Club has joined forces with a new charity that’s helping to ensure children aren’t hungry when they start the school day.
Power Community Limited - the community development arm of PAFC - has partnered with Kickstart for Kids in delivering the Power Breakfast Program. In a further commitment, the Club will make its players available to support students in need of added help, under the Department of Education and Children’s Services Mentoring Program.
Kickstart for Kids is currently operating in five metropolitan schools, providing free healthy breakfasts to disadvantaged children and ensuring they’re on top of their game for their day of learning.
Kickstart for Kids Director Ian Steel said the partnership would help his charity continue its work and to expand.
“We are currently providing approximately 1200 breakfasts per week and the mentoring program will help kids to feel good about themselves and increase their self esteem,” Mr Steel said.
Power Community Limited Manager Darren Adamson praised Mr Steel and his initiative, saying PAFC, Kickstart for Kids and DECS share common interests.
“The addition of mentoring to the program in partnership with DECS provides another level of support for the students and a great development opportunity for our players,” Mr Adamson said.
The partnership was launched at Kilkenny Primary School where Principal Mike Tate said Kickstart For Kids is already helping students with their learning.
“The breakfast program is a wonderful initiative that supports a number of our children who regularly miss the most important meal of the day and consequently have difficulties concentrating on remaining on task,” Mr Tate said.
“The mentoring program will provide an opportunity for groups of our students to identify with leaders from the community and form positive and significant relationships while building upon their self esteem.”
The program also has the support of the Federal Government.
Member for Port Adelaide and Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, said it would build on the work of the Smarter Schools National Partnerships initiative which is assisting thousands of students.
“It’s great for their physical development as well as their emotional and social development,” Mr Butler said.
“For good physical development they need good nutrition. They need a good start to the day so they can focus on their lessons, they can focus on good play time building good social relationships that’s why this breakfast and mentoring program is so important.”
Mr Steel thanked the sponsors of Kickstart For Kids: Drake Supermarkets, Moo Yoghurt, Robern Menz and Bakers Delight at Mitcham and Glenelg.
