The Every Breakfast Counts committee is pleased to announce the results of 2025 programming. Designed to fill the gap when school meal programs pause at the end of the academic year, the program provided approximately 9,500 free meals to local children throughout July and August, for an average of 1,055 meals per week.
Nutritious food items – including fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, cheese and bread – were made available through 12 community sites. Locations included the City of Sault Ste. Marie’s outdoor pools, Child Care Algoma’s EarlyON Child and Family Centre, Sault Ste. Marie District Social Services Community Hubs and the Indigenous Friendship Centre.
The success of Every Breakfast Counts would not have been possible without the support of local volunteers. Approximately 70 volunteer hours per week were required to pack and assemble meals at Harvest Algoma. Volunteers from 11 local organizations – Algoma Family Services, Sault Area Hospital, McDougall Energy, Canadian Mental Health Association, Children’s Aid Society, City of Sault Ste. Marie, Community Living Algoma, Arthur’s Funeral Home, Sault Chamber of Commerce, John Howard Society and Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre – played a key role in ensuring meals were delivered to children throughout the community.
“Volunteers are the backbone of this program,” said Mayor Matthew Shoemaker, on behalf of the Every Breakfast Counts committee. “Their time and energy make it possible to prepare and deliver thousands of meals every summer. We are incredibly grateful to the individuals and organizations who step forward year-after-year to ensure children in our community are supported.”
To assist with future operations, the Every Breakfast Counts committee is seeking donations. Contributions can be made online through the Algoma Family Services Foundation at afsfoundation.ca/donate. Donations to the program can be directed by selecting ‘Every Breakfast Counts’ in the drop-down menu under ‘fund’.
“For the past eight summers, this program has demonstrated the power of community support,” added Emily Tremblay, Algoma Family Services Community Services Supervisor and Every Breakfast Counts committee chair.
“Every Breakfast Counts helps ensure that children have access to nutritious meals throughout the year, and the continued generosity of local residents and organizations will help sustain the program so it can keep making a positive difference in the lives of kids across Sault Ste. Marie.”