COLUMBIA FALLS — Glacier Gateway School in Columbia Falls is looking for funding for their Breakfast After the Bell Program.
Principal Penni Anello told MTN News that Glacier Gateway started Breakfast After the Bell in September of 2019.
She says the program provides free breakfast for students that come to campus after 8 a.m.
Students can get a go-bag filled with a protein, fruit and a carton of milk and take it to class.
Anello explained that funding for the program came from a $5,000 No Kid Hungry grant.
She told MTN News that many times students aren't hungry first thing in the morning when they're served breakfast at home, or are, and still hungry when they arrive at school.
However, she says, that grant has now lapsed and the school looks for new ways to continue the Breakfast After the Bell Program because of how important it is for students.
"Breakfast is particularly very important for elementary students to prepare their brain and regulate their emotions in the morning to make a connection with an adult while they eat," said Anello. "So, they can prepare their minds for learning."
Anello says the school is in a transition mode as the grant is ending and that they will continue to look for other ways and grants to provide free breakfast for students.
