Bradford family serves up a sweet deal for ‘School Fuel’

Photo: L-R: Coun. Jonathan Scott; Carolyn Khan and Gavin Maclean, with the Helping Hand Food Bank with Jason and Kristine Mullins.

The Mullins family of Bradford West Gwillimbury has pledged $250,000 over the next three years to launch a ‘School Fuel’ initiative.

Jason and Kristine Mullins said their family wanted to support a project that provides immediate, practical help to young people in the community.

“Bradford has been an important part of our lives, and we want to make sure every child has the chance to succeed,” the Mullins said. “School Fuel is a simple, powerful way to give kids that support. We’re thrilled to help make it happen.”

The new Bradford program will expand school-based meal programmes so that children across Bradford can count on nutritious food during the school day.

“This is exactly the kind of impact the Anti-Poverty Plan was designed to inspire,” said Carolyn Khan, Helping Hand Food Bank’s executive director.

“Teachers and parents told us clearly that hunger is a major barrier for too many children. Thanks to the Mullins family, we can begin addressing that barrier right away.”

Bradford’s Anti-Poverty Action Plan was created to ensure the development of a School Fuel program got the kick-start it needed.

Councillor Jonathan Scott, who co-chaired the action plan, said Mullins’ gift represents a clear example of community-led solutions.

“The plan is a roadmap, but it needs partners who believe in getting things done,” Scott said.

“What the Mullins family has done is remarkable. Their generosity means we can make one of the most important steps identified in the plan happen by ensuring kids aren’t trying to learn on an empty stomach. This is how local change happens: one concrete step at a time.”