Senator Santarsiero, Representatives Staats, Polinchock, and Ullman Announce School Breakfast Initiative Funding for Pennridge Schools

HARRISBURG − May 16, 2019 − Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10), Representatives Craig Staats (R-145), Todd Polinchock (R-144), and Wendy Ullman (D143) announced the award of $14,642.81 in state grants through Governor Wolf’s School Breakfast Initiative for four schools in the Pennridge School District.  

The funding for each Pennridge school is as follows:    

  • Robert B. Deibler Elementary School: $4,101.83
  • Pennridge Central Middle School: $2,555
  • Bedminster Elementary School: $3,870.64
  • Sellersville Elementary School: $4,115.34 

“These grants highlight the necessity of making a nutritious, healthy breakfast an essential part of the school day for each and every student,” Sen. Santarsiero said. “As I continue to work alongside and learn from students, parents, teachers, and administrators at Pennridge and school districts across the district, I welcome their input on how to make hunger in our classrooms a thing of the past.”  

“I wholeheartedly agree with those who say breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” Rep. Staats said. “No child should start school on an empty stomach and research has shown a direct correlation between breakfast and student performance. I am glad this mini-grant program will enable students in our area to start the school day with a fresh, nutritious breakfast.” 

“Ensuring students are able to start their day with a full stomach and ready to take on the day is an important part of their education,” Rep. Polinchock said. “This grant will help the students of Pennridge School District get their day started right and help improve their education and put them on the road to success.” 

“Anybody who’s taken care of a student can tell you how much better a kid’s day is with breakfast,” Rep. Ullman said. “At school, the upside is endless for their brains, their grades, our state and the economy. And, none of us is immune to the morning’s struggles. These awards will give our schools and families some help and the kids a big boost. Thank you to Gov. Wolf for his investments in schools. We need to keep it coming.” 

The School Breakfast Initiative is administered through Pennsylvania’s Department of Education. One hundred and fifty schools across the Commonwealth will be receiving grants of up to $5,000 each as part of the program. With approximately $592,000 awarded, this marks the second year of a program that makes school breakfast available to all students and expands food options for children. 

For more information on the School Breakfast Initiative, visit the Department of Education’s website. 

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