Victoria has a message for grocery stores, food companies

Victoria McGonegal, a Grade 9 student at Korah Collegiate, is heading off to Toronto as one of 11 student ambassadors from Ontario to make a presentation at the Agents of Change summit February 8.

The Agents of Change summit is a part of the Toonies for Tummies fundraising program which aims to raise $600,000 for student nutrition February 4 to 18.

The summit will be the first of its kind because it will engage students in shaping nutrition programs offered by The Grocery Foundation and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.

The Grocery Foundation includes food industry players like Campbell's, Metro, Sobeys and Nestle, among many others.

Student nutrition programs are huge, benefiting more than 800,000 students across Ontario.

"In my presentation, I'm going to say more food companies should help out with student nutrition, more companies should get involved," said Victoria, speaking to SooToday.

"I'm going to say we should do Toonies for Tummies not just for a few days in February, but every three months." 

"We're proud, it's a great opportunity for Victoria," said Paul Caldbick, Korah Collegiate Vice Principal.

"I'm excited…my home room teacher (Mr. Marshall) picked me to do the presentation (as the student ambassador for Algoma)," said Victoria. 

"In Grades 7 and 8 we have a breakfast program at Korah, and at the beginning of Grade 9 I started helping out with the program," Victoria said.

Victoria arrives at school at 7:55 a.m. every school day and helps distribute cereal, Granola bars, bagels, fruit cups, milk and orange juice to those Korah students who need breakfast.

There are currently about 75 Grade 7 and 8 students in breakfast and lunch programs offered at Korah.

"I can tell by looking at them (that students feel better for having breakfast before they start the school day)," Victoria said.

Victoria, who enjoys studying science, said she would like to stay involved with Toonies for Tummies and student nutrition as time goes by.

The public will be able to donate to Toonies for Tummies February 4 to 18 at 13 Sault locations, including Food Basics and Metro grocery stores, as they proceed through the checkout line.