Aussie Helpers – Free School Breakfasts for our Farming Kids

Aussie Helpers’ Brekkie in a Bag helps farming families at risk of food insecurity. Kids in rural communities are increasingly going to school hungry—despite their parents working from sunrise to sunset to feed our families and the nation. Cost of living pressures and tough conditions in agriculture has left many farming families struggling to feed their own families. Aussie Helpers, a national charity dedicated to helping farmers, farming families and communities survive through the tough times so they can thrive in the good, has launched Brekkie in a Bag to ensure country kids can start their day with a nutritious breakfast. In 2023, eight rural and remote schools across Queensland and New South Wales received free and nutritious school breakfasts, with support from Sanitarium and The Little Big Diary Company. This year, Aussie Helpers has committed to expanding Brekkie in a Bag to support even more farming communities as the cost of living and challenges in the farming sector continue. Tash Kocks, CEO of Aussie Helpers said more and more schools in farming communities had reported that cost-of-living pressures and farming conditions were impacting their students—and many were going to school without breakfast. “Education inequality for country kids in Australia is chronic, with bush kids performing well below city kids—impacting their education and futures. “We’ve relaunched Brekkie in a Bag to fill a gap that kids in farming communities may be experiencing—and that’s a nutritious breakfast to set them up for a full day of learning. “It’s well known that eating a healthy breakfast is linked to improved concentration and knowledge retention, higher academic achievement, healthier bodies and increased energy, which is particularly important for young kids because their brains can consume half of their body’s energy. “Brekkie in a Bag helps to reduce both education inequality and food insecurity in rural communities." “At the heart of Brekkie in a Bag is practical support given with respect and compassion to the whole community, ensuring struggling farming families can preserve their privacy and dignity in their close-knit communities,” said Ms Kocks. Rebecca Coddington a teacher from Hermidale Public School said even though many farmers had struggled last year with below average rainfall, they were still very resilient and had a strong sense of community. “For our community—any help counts. Brekkie in a Bag means that farmers who are busy first thing and are out feeding know their kids can have a nutritional breakfast at school and will be ready to go. There’s one less thing to worry about. “Brekkie in a Bag is very important for our students because it is their own little thing that they take ownership of. They run through the school gate to get their Weet-Bix or UP&GO and they clean up their plates before school. “As a teacher and a mum, I know how important breakfast is for little learners. They need breakfast to get their energy throughout the day and to learn new things—to put them on their future pathways,” said Ms Coddington. Register today Ms Kocks said Aussie Helpers was committed to supporting even more schools in farming communities in 2024. “Our team is constantly on the road, supporting farmers in the communities that we serve from our sites in Gladstone, Charleville and Dubbo. “I encourage rural schools concerned about the risk of food insecurity due to cost-of-living pressures and farming conditions to register an expression of interest for Brekkie in a Bag as soon as possible online at aussiehelpers.org.au." “As more schools register for Brekkie in a Bag across rural Australia, we will be looking for local partners and sponsors to help us provide fresh produce, including dairy milk and fruit. “If you’re in a position to help us to help Aussie farmers and farming communities, please register at aussiehelpers.org.au,” said Ms Kocks. While Aussie Helpers is well recognised for providing financial relief, mental health services and disaster recovery support for farmers, the team has been helping to improve education outcomes for farming kids for the majority of its 21 years. Aussie Helpers Volunteers for Isolated Student Education (AHVISE) has supported more than 1,500 farming kids by matching volunteers who have teaching or tutoring credentials and experience to geographically isolated farming families. Volunteer teachers and tutors provide both in-person and virtual support for farming families, with Aussie Helpers reimbursing travel costs to reach families thanks to the generosity of donors. “We urge all farming families concerned about their kids’ education to reach out to us—we are here for you and ready to help. We help hundreds of bush kids every year,” said Ms Kocks. To learn more about Brekkie in a Bag and AHVISE and to support farming kids visit aussiehelpers.org.au. Aussie Helpers is driven every day to ensure farmers know that help is just a phone call away. As one of Australia’s largest farming support charities, Aussie Helpers has provided support directly to farmers for more than 21 years and created lasting connections with rural communities across Australia. We are led by our purpose—to help the heart of our country. We are open and flexible to responding to the unique needs that individual farmers, their families and rural communities face. We’re different to other charities because we’re not a first-in-first-served charity that stops supporting once we’ve run out of donations that month. We provide immediate help—wherever, whenever and however—farmers and farming communities need it. We help 1,000s of farmers every year, whether it be providing animal feed, financial assistance, food hampers, fuel cards, laptops, school fee support, student tutoring, access to mental health services, and little luxuries like Christmas hampers and gifts for kids. All Aussie Helpers team members are certified Mental Health First Aiders and our regular farm visits are a vital lifeline to many farmers and their families. Our team provide open ears, minds and arms for farmers who simply need to know they are not alone. We also connect farmers with additional health services through our Family Support program. We know there is so much more to be done—and that we can do—to support farmers and communities. We know that many farmers continue to struggle alone. And for us, that’s not ok. As a not-for-profit, we are entirely funded through donations and sponsorships and rely on our generous network of volunteers and our small but mighty team to support 1,000s of farmers every year. Aussie Helpers is a registered charity and endorsed as a DGR, which means donations of $2 ore more are tax-deductible. To help Aussie farmers and farming communities with an immediate impact, donate directly at aussiehelpers.org.au. Aussie farmers might be the last people to ask for help. But when they do need it, we’re here for them—wherever, whenever and however they need us.

Aussie Helpers – Free School Breakfasts for our Farming Kids

Related Posts

Queensland Councils Welcome $7.2 Billion Bruce Highway Funding Boost

Social Enterprise Cafe

The Collective Hervey Bay – Bringing Creativity to Life

Calliope Community Hub to Open at Historic RSL Memorial Hall

Meet the Candidates

Madloch: Women in Real Estate

From Setbacks to Success: Daniel’s Incredible Journey to Employment Will Leave You Inspired!

Boyce Slams Labor’s Car Carbon Tax

Where can i vote?

Boyne Tannum Hook Up: Empowering Women in Fishing

Bet you can’t keep a straight face when you see this!

Revealed: Perfect Pizza Slice

Annaliese Smiles her way to Success!

Friends Don’t Let Friends Skip Leg Day

7 Tips for Throwing a Kid’s Party at Home

Library Out and About van is ready to go

Queensland Councils Welcome $7.2 Billion Bruce Highway Funding Boost

Social Enterprise Cafe

The Collective Hervey Bay – Bringing Creativity to Life

Calliope Community Hub to Open at Historic RSL Memorial Hall

Brave Minds Counselling

Hit the Sand for Fun: Holiday Beach Cricket Blast at Tannum Sands

Gladstone News

Follow Us

Gladstone News Subscription

Browse Categories

Browse Categories

Welcome Back!

Create New Account!

Retrieve your password

Are you sure want to unlock this post?

Are you sure want to cancel subscription?

Aussie Helpers – Free School Breakfasts for our Farming Kids

Want to read the full article?

Subscribe Now

Related Posts

Gladstone News

Follow Us

Gladstone News Subscription

Browse Categories

Browse Categories

Welcome Back!

Create New Account!

Retrieve your password

Are you sure want to unlock this post?

Are you sure want to cancel subscription?