Breakfast After the Bell: Your Help Needed!

Published on May 24, 2016 in Child Nutrition, School-Aged Children, State Legislation

Take Action icon5.24.2016 We’ve got exciting news! Yesterday, because of your strong support, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education made a game-changing decision about school breakfast. The subcommittee voted to support a strategic, one-time investment of $4 million in startup and expansion grants (over four years) to help schools implement breakfast after the bell.

This is a thrilling step — but there is more to be done! In order for this investment to become a reality for California kids, the Senate and Assembly must include the $4 million in the 2016-17 budget act. State leaders are making budget decisions right now and your opinion matters.

What You Can Do
Let California’s budget leaders know that all kids deserve equitable access to school breakfast. The state should invest in Breakfast After the Bell. There are three important steps you can take today.

1) Letters – Please submit letters of support for the Breakfast After the Bell budget request. Please do submit an updated letter even if you have already expressed your support. Download a customizable sample letter and instructions for submitting your letter. doc

2) Phone calls – Make quick and easy calls to California budget leaders to voice your support for after-the-bell breakfast. A sample script and phone numbers are below.

“My name is __________. I live in __________, California. I am calling to urge Assemblymember/Senator __________ to support a strategic, one-time state investment in after-the-bell school breakfast. Four million dollars in startup and expansion grants to help schools implement after the bell breakfast will fight hunger, improve academic achievement, and support good health for hundreds of thousands of vulnerable students across California. Thank you.”

3) Social Media – Voice your support through social media. Sample tweets are included below.

  • Invest in #CAbreakfast for returns on student health & academics @Rendon63rd @PhilTing @kdeleon @MarkLeno @CAFoodPolicy goo.gl/DyUZH5
  • Fight hunger, support learning: #CAbreakfast after the bell @kdeleon @Rendon63rd @MarkLeno @PhilTing @CAFoodPolicygoo.gl/DyUZH5
  • #CAbreakfast after the bell: get meals to kids in need @kdeleon @MarkLeno @Rendon63rd @PhilTing @CAFoodPolicy goo.gl/DyUZH5
  • Hungry kids struggle to learn. Invest in #CAbreakfast after the bell! @Rendon63rd @PhilTing @kdeleon @MarkLeno @CAFoodPolicy goo.gl/DyUZH5
  • Smart investment: #CAbreakfast gets kids ready to learn @kdeleon @MarkLeno @Rendon63rd @PhilTing @CAFoodPolicy goo.gl/DyUZH5

Have questions? Please contact Tia Shimada at tia@cfpa.net or 510.433.1122 ext 109
Learn more about Breakfast After the Bell. link.

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