Union Gas grant helps Hamilton students start the day right

$2,000 to Barton Secondary School "Breakfast Program" will feed 300+ students

HAMILTON, ON, April 3, 2013 /CNW/ - Union Gas is helping over 300 students at Barton Secondary School (BSS) start their day with a healthy breakfast, through a $2,000 grant awarded today.

Dave Gardener, Union Gas utility service manager for Hamilton Mountain, presented the cheque to Irene Iossifidis, assistant coordinator of the school's Nutrition Program at the start of the school's morning break. Also in attendance were Deb Jukes, school principal and a number of BSS students.

Studies show that a well-balanced morning meal provides students with the energy and nutrients that lead to increased concentration and success in the classroom. The funds from Union Gas will assist the Breakfast Program to purchase a variety of nutritious foods and the equipment needed to prepare it for children who otherwise may miss the most important meal of the day.

"At Union Gas, we believe that investing in education creates lasting benefits for people and communities," said Gardener. "That's why we support important programs in the communities we serve, such as the "Breakfast Program", which is helping the students of Barton Secondary School start their day ready to learn."

Run entirely by dedicated volunteers, Barton students are also active contributors to the program. The school's Comprehensive Class helps with preparation and clean up, gaining valuable life skills. The Family Studies Food and Nutrition Class helps with overseeing the project.  Each week two students are appointed "directors" for that week, tasked with the responsibility for preparation, clean-up and the overall smooth running of the program. Not only are students gaining valuable employability skills, but by taking ownership they are increasing school spirit.  When students take pride in their school, they do better academically.

"We are always grateful to our community sponsors. Their generosity is appreciated inside the classroom by their teachers with increased academic success and outside the classroom by the students whose nutritional needs are being met," said Jukes.

Over the past 100 years, Union Gas has been privileged to work in more than 400 Ontario communities. In addition to natural gas delivery services for homes and businesses, Union Gas has contributed to the province through significant economic investments, hundreds of jobs, millions in municipal taxes, energy efficiency programs, thousands of volunteer hours for community organizations, major charitable giving and sponsorships. Each year, Union Gas contributes millions of dollars to charitable organizations across Ontario, including United Way. For more information visit uniongas.com/community.

About Barton Secondary School - Breakfast Program
The Nutrition Program was launched in November 2009 offering breakfast to all students two days per week during morning break. Now, just three and a half years in we can proudly say we offer a variety of food choices to nearly 320 students on average, daily, five days per week from the start to finish of the school year. The Nutrition Program has not only helped to reverse the effect hunger has on classroom performance and long-term education achievement, but has helped to increase school community.

About Union Gas
Union Gas Limited is a major Canadian natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with 100 years of experience and service to customers. The distribution business serves about 1.4 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in more than 400 communities across northern, southwestern and eastern Ontario. Union Gas, named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers  for 2011, 2012 and 2013, is a Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) company with assets of $5.8 billion and approximately 2,200 employees. For more information, visit uniongas.com.

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SOURCE: Union Gas Limited

CONTACTS:
Union Gas Limited 
Andrea Stass
Manager, External Communications and Media Relations
Ph: 519 436-5490 or 1-800-571-8446 ext. 5005490
Cell: 519 365-1010
[email protected]

Barton Secondary School Nutrition Program
Irene Iossifidis
Assistant Coordinator, Teacher
Ph: 905-389-2234 Ext. 518
[email protected]