Pembina commits $5M to Fuel 4 Thought
This is why we've partnered with Breakfast Club of Canada, a national organization with over 4,500 programs across Canada which feeds 140,000 kids, to create Fuel 4 Thought.
Following our initial three-year, $1.5 million commitment, Pembina is excited to announce our largest-ever charitable investment - a $5 million partnership with Breakfast Club of Canada. Pembina will contribute $1 million annually over the next five years to make sure kids across Canada start their day with a full stomach.
Jaret Sprott, SVP & COO, Facilities, is the Executive Sponsor and a volunteer with the Fuel 4 Thought program. “It goes beyond just making sure that kids get enough to eat, which of course is absolutely critical,” he explains. “Kids who start the day with a good breakfast do better in school, have longer attention spans and are less likely to exhibit behavioural issues. Through the program we’re able to help move the needle on a major social issue that impacts everything from education to wellness, and I’m very proud that Pembina continues to step up to the plate.”
Bigger and better
Increasing our yearly contribution from $500,000 to $1 million makes Pembina one of Breakfast Club’s largest supporters in Canada, and a National Partner.
Through this increase in funding, Pembina will now provide support to ALL breakfast programs in Alberta as the primary provincial funder, plus those programs near our operations in Ontario and British Columbia. This will help sustain existing programs and support the opening of new ones.
This renewal brings Pembina’s total partnership with Breakfast Club of Canada to $6.5 million, including a $1.5 million prior contribution that launched the Fuel 4 Thought program in 2016.
It goes beyond just making sure that kids get enough to eat, which of course is absolutely critical. Kids who start the day with a good breakfast do better in school, have longer attention spans and are less likely to exhibit behavioural issues.
Fuel 4 Thought in action at Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation School
Last year, Pembina launched programs in Driftpile First Nation, Sturgeon Lake Cree First Nation, Alexis Nakota Sioux First Nation and Ktunaxa Nation Council. Many of Pembina's operations are located on or near First Nations and Métis lands. Building relationships with Indigenous communities helps Pembina employees better understand local needs.
"We work closely with our communities and Indigenous partners to develop opportunities to collaborate on community projects," says Jaret Sprott, Pembina's Senior Vice President & COO, Facilities.
"We work hard to understand the challenges in the areas where we operate. When we found out that 1 in 2 children in Indigenous communities across Canada are at risk of starting their day on an empty stomach, we saw an opportunity to make a big difference with our Fuel 4 Thought program."
Adds Jaret, "Our Indigenous neighbours have a special interest in the land on which we operate, and today is a great opportunity to recognize and celebrate the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.”
Video on Pembina's support of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation School's breakfast program