Boys and Girls Club of Canada and President's Choice® Children's Charity Partner to Fuel Brighter Futures for Canadian Children

MARKHAM, ON, Feb. 24, 2012 /CNW/ - Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada (BGCC) is proud to announce that President's Choice® Children's Charity has provided a $150,000 grant to BGCC to implement the President's Choice® Children's Charity Basic Needs, Brighter Future program to support food and nutrition programs at Boys and Girls Clubs across the country.

The President's Choice^® Children's Charity Basic Needs, Brighter Future program is a food and nutrition program that will provide young people with the critical resources they need to enhance and expand their access to food, education related to food and development of healthy habits for life. This programs aims to enable more Clubs to feed more young people and their families, promote the importance of nutritious food; and educate and support Club staff and their members through provision of a nutrition manual that offers up-to-date information on Club best practices. Thanks to the support of President's Choice^® Children's Charity, fifteen Clubs across Canada will be able to benefit from this program in 2012.

"We know that good nutrition is fundamental to our children's health and that well-nourished children learn better. President's Choice^® Children's Charity is committing significant resources to help Canadian children live to their full potential." said Peggy Hornell, Sr. Director, President's Choice Children's Charity.

This partnership brings together President's Choice^® Children's Charity's dedication to children's health and wellness with Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada's vision to ensure that every child in Canada has the resources they require to grow into healthy adults.

"Boys and Girls Clubs are focused on creating positive opportunities for children and youth and proper nutrition is a critical element in helping them reach their potential," said Pam Jolliffe, President and CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. "A poor diet can have a devastating effect on a child. Not only can it lead to long-term health problems, it can have a serious impact on many areas of a child's life such as decreasing academic performance and increasing negative behaviours. I am thrilled that President's Choice^® Children's Charity is supporting this important program."

Research shows that inadequate nutrition can have myriad effects on the health and well-being of an individual, family, and the community as a whole. Hunger and inadequate nutrition contributes to a number of negative consequences for young people, having detrimental effects on a child's overall growth, learning, behavior and development - both immediate and long-term. Children who go to school hungry are less resilient, have trouble concentrating, score poorly on tests and have problems with socializing.

About Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada
Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada is a leading charitable organization providing after school programs that support the healthy physical, educational and social development of 200,000 children, youth and their families each year. In 700 community locations across Canada, Clubs offer access to opportunities, after-school and at other times when children are not in school, to develop healthy behaviours, academic success and technology learning, positive relationships and life and leadership skills. Many Clubs also provide nutritious snacks and meals, emergency shelter, family support programs and other support to children, youth and families at risk. Boys and Girls Clubs have been helping young Canadians to discover, develop and achieve their potential, for over 100 years. To learn more, visit www.bgccan.com.

About President's Choice® Children's Charity
President's Choice® Children's Charity is committed to helping children across Canada, with a focus on children with disabilities and childhood nutrition. The Charity supports children with disabilities directly through financial grants and as the National Premier Sponsor of Breakfast for Learning shares a vision dedicated to improving the lives of children. The cost of administration and operations of the Charity is funded by Loblaw Companies Limited, ensuring that 100 per cent of every dollar donated goes directly to helping kids and their families. The Charity offers funding across Canada and dollars are granted in the region in which they are raised. Since 1989, the Charity has awarded more than $72 million, reaching more than 10,000 families. For more information on the President's Choice® Children's Charity or to donate online, visit www.pc.ca/charity.

Media Contacts:

Travis Parnaby
Senior Communications Specialist
Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada
905-477-7272 ext. 270