Fuel for Schools program feeds thousands of hungry Townsville school kids every day

The efforts of two local ladies are ensuring thousands of Townsville school kids start the day the right way.

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THE efforts of two local ladies are ensuring thousands of Townsville school kids start the day the right way.

Paula Pool, Demalza Gardem and Jean Pierre started Fuel for Schools as a way to help high school students get through their day.

The program is in its second year donating breakfast items including milo, cereal, bread, spreads, canned food and UHT milk to state high schools around Townsville.

Ms Pool said all the items were donated from the generosity of the public.

“We feel very honoured to help all the kids out everyday and we love doing it,” she said.

“Kids can have a big breakfast and then go on with their learning and their day.”

Schools each receive a delivery every week of the breakfast items dropped off by Ms Pool.

Kirwan State High School provides breakfast every morning from 8am until the first bell rings just before 9am.

Paula Pool and trent Nolan from the Rotary Club of Townsville Inc with supplies for Fuel for Schools. Picture: Evan Morgan

Defence school mentor Lisa Hill said the program was feeding 1900 students and went through 28 slices of bread a morning.

“The program is so valuable to our school and the kids love it and when the kids come for the first time they say thank you so much,” she said.

“They know we are here and they can rely on us for being here so if things aren’t necessarily good at home or they haven’t had breakfast they know they can come see us.”

Ms Pool said she was hoping to expand the program in the future.

“We have had a few primary schools reach out to us but unfortunately we have had to say we don’t have enough donations to provide to you as well,” she said.

“So we would like to build it up a bit so we can help primary schools out as well.”

Donations can be dropped off at Fit Empire and Wellness at Currajong, Northern Beaches Chiropractic and Muscle and Fitness Hyde Park.

Originally published as Fuel for Schools program feeds thousands of hungry Townsville school kids every day