The following statement was issued today by Roger Grimes on behalf of Judy Foote, Minister of Education. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Skip-a-lunch day

I invite all members of the house, and all members of the general public to support the School Lunch Association�s SKIP-A-LUNCH campaign today... and donate the money they usually spend on lunch to the St. John�s School Lunch Association.

This is the 3^rd annual SKIP-a-LUNCH event held by The School Lunch Association to raise awareness of the issue of child poverty and its effect on children�s education, and to raise funds in support of the Hot Lunch Program operated by the association in city schools.

The event is endorsed by the premier and Mrs. Tobin, the entire Liberal Caucus, the Department of Education, and many prominent figures from the political, business, arts, entertainment, and media communities.

Government�s support of school meal programs is evidenced by our recent endowment of $1 million to the School Children�s Food Foundation. This is in addition to the $1 million endowment in 1998. As well, government gives an annual grant of $75,000 to the School Lunch Association.

The School Lunch Association was founded in 1989 by a small committee of individuals who recognized the correlation between hunger and a child�s ability to learn. The association helps children take full advantage of their educational opportunities by operating a non-stigmatizing program that provides hot, nutritious lunches to children at school, regardless of their families� ability to pay.

I encourage everyone to support SKIP-a-LUNCH today.

2000 03 23                                             2:15 p.m.