May 02, 2008
Statehouse Food Drive
In the final days of the session, Vermont lawmakers held a food drive for dollars at the statehouse.
Lawmakers say with so much talk about tough economic times and belt tightening, they wanted to do something to help families. Over just two days, they raised over $3,600. All the money will be donated to the Vermont Food Bank and Campaign to End Childhood hunger. $3,600 will buy about 10,000 meals.
It wasn't just donations, lawmakers also passed legislation making the state's school breakfast program free for low-income families. The cost is $170,000, but it will feed 7,500 kids.
"Then you have kids sitting in class with empty stomachs not learning thinking about the pains in their stomach. So as a way of investing our dollars to make sure our kids are learning the best-- feeding them breakfast should be part of the education day," said Rep. Robert Dostis, D-Waterbury.
Advocates say studies show that breakfast programs help reduce absenteeism, increase test scores and improve behavior in class.
Kristin Carlson - WCAX News
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