Every Breakfast Counts was developed in the spring of 2018 as a means to address a service gap in the community by providing meals to youth who rely on breakfast programming offered during the school year. Since its launch, thousands of meals have been provided through Every Breakfast Counts.
Healthy eating habits have a significant impact on the achievement of optimal health, growth and intellectual development for youth, and Every Breakfast Counts continues to make a difference by providing local youth with nutritious and healthy meals/food.
Ongoing coordination is facilitated by the Every Breakfast Counts committee, comprised of the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Mayor and CAO Offices, Sault Ste. Marie District Social Services, United Way Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District, Harvest Algoma, Algoma Family Services, Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre, Child Care Algoma and EarlyON Child and Family Centre and the Indigenous Friendship Centre. Along with dedicated volunteers, these partners help ensure the program’s operation.
Running throughout July and August, Every Breakfast Counts helps bridge the summer gap when school-based meal programs are not operating. Nutritious food items, including fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, cheese and bread, were made available at several locations across the community. Distribution sites included the Greco and Manzo outdoor pools, the Urban Indigenous Hub, the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library, the YMCA, the Algoma Region Youth Wellness Hub and Social Services’ Kids Being Kids programming locations.
The committee wishes to thank the donors that helped facilitate 2026 programming: 100 Guys Who Care, Northside Toyota, Arthur Funeral Home and the City of Sault Ste. Marie. Donations to help support future programming are currently being sought, and contributions can be made through the Algoma Family Services Foundation at https://afsfoundation.ca/donate/. Donors can select “Every Breakfast Counts” from the “Fund” drop-down menu.