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Planning for Success

As this school year comes to an end, now is the perfect time to be thinking about setting yourself up for a successful reopening of your breakfast program in the fall. In preparation for 2023–2024, consider the following tips and ideas to step into September with a smile: Hold a recruitment drive to […]

In the Club

Viviane Harbec: Key volunteer in the Antoine-Brossard program

How many young people do you know who have a key to their school? Secondary 5 student Viviane Harbec is one of a precious few. The administration of Antoine-Brossard High School (Brossard, Quebec) had no reservations about trusting her with this responsibility so she could go about her duties as a highly dedicated breakfast program volunteer. […]

In the Club

Planning for Success

In the Club

Viviane Harbec: Key volunteer in the Antoine-Brossard program

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

In the Club

Planning for Success

As this school year comes to an end, now is the perfect time to be thinking about setting yourself up for a successful reopening of your breakfast program in the fall.

In preparation for 2023–2024, consider the following tips and ideas to step into September with a smile:

Hold a recruitment drive to recruit volunteers for your breakfast program.
Reach out to local organizations and businesses for possible partnerships. A good relationship with nearby stores and store managers can help you tap into community discounts, food donations and other sources of support. You might also want to consider asking for donations or assistance in preparing breakfast for your program.
Recognize breakfast program volunteers and thank them for their contributions through Breakfast in Unisson.
Invite students to share why they love their school breakfast and what they would like to see in the program next year.
Empty your fridges and freezers in case there are power outages during the summer. Be sure to unplug them before you leave.
If you have egg coupons, don’t forget to use them before the end of the year.
Store all dried goods in airtight containers out of direct sunlight, and make sure that the expiry dates extend at least until the opening of your program.
Deep-clean all breakfast areas and equipment.
If you don’t operate under a food delivery model, plan your breakfast menus in advance, make a list and stick to it! Your budget will thank you.
Take care of any pending paperwork, sign everything that needs to be signed and update your schedules. For resources and tools, see the Schools Corner of our website.

Have any questions or need support?
Reach out to your BCC coordinator. They have a wealth of knowledge and are happy to help you maximize your breakfast program’s potential!

In the Club

Viviane Harbec: Key volunteer in the Antoine-Brossard program

How many young people do you know who have a key to their school?

Secondary 5 student Viviane Harbec is one of a precious few. The administration of Antoine-Brossard High School (Brossard, Quebec) had no reservations about trusting her with this responsibility so she could go about her duties as a highly dedicated breakfast program volunteer.

At Antoine-Brossard, every morning kicks off on a cheerful note, with music and a long line of tables prepped and ready to receive breakfast-goers from the student body of about 1,800 teens. Frédéric Jacques, the school’s spiritual care and community involvement counsellor, Principal Éric Chevalier and Viviane herself are there to greet them.

Viviane has been involved in the school’s breakfast program since it began in September 2020. She was just starting Secondary 3 and the project piqued her interest. At that point, the nascent program was limited to a grab-and-go model. But Viviane’s drive and determination helped turn it into a unique and convenient buffet-style operation. The prep work requires Viviane to come in earlier than anyone else, hence the need for the key. After the food has been put out and the tables set, she sticks around at the breakfast station, along with her fellow student volunteers, to ensure everything runs smoothly until the first bell rings and she heads off to class.

It makes Viviane’s heart sing to see the smile breakfast brings to the faces of those who avail themselves of the program. That’s her primary motivation. At 16, she understands the importance of reaching out to those who might be going through a tough time or need an extra helping hand. Given her caring and compassionate nature, it’s not surprising to learn that she plans to enrol in a nursing program at a nearby CEGEP next year, making good on a dream she’s had since Grade 6.

Since she won’t be around come September, Viviane has started to train other students who will succeed her in this role. And she will be finishing up her high school career and her time with the Club on a celebratory note: she received a letter in April informing her that she had been awarded a Lieutenant Governor’s Youth Medal in recognition of her outstanding community and social engagement. Her parents are understandably very proud of her commitment to making a difference in the lives of the people around her.

On behalf of everyone here at Breakfast Club of Canada, we thank you, Viviane, for everything you’ve done, day in and day out, for your school breakfast program. We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavours. You definitely have a very bright future ahead of you!

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Planning for Success

Viviane Harbec: Key volunteer in the Antoine-Brossard program

Planning for Success

Viviane Harbec: Key volunteer in the Antoine-Brossard program

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Planning for Success

As this school year comes to an end, now is the perfect time to be thinking about setting yourself up for a successful reopening of your breakfast program in the fall.

In preparation for 2023–2024, consider the following tips and ideas to step into September with a smile:

Viviane Harbec: Key volunteer in the Antoine-Brossard program

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