Early Learning Coalition Gives Children a Healthy Start to School Year

July 30, 2010 - PRLog -- The Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties, Inc. is kicking off the school year with a new back to school giveaway program, entitled Eat Smart for a Healthy Start.  The Coalition will host three (3) community events throughout Pasco and Hernando Counties focused on the importance of healthy nutrition when preparing young children for school.  

The first 250 children between the ages of birth to 8 years old to attend each Eat Smart for a Healthy Start event will take home a brightly colored lunchbox filled with informative materials and goodies.  Join the Early Learning Coalition to celebrate the new school year at the following locations:


Date: Tuesday, August 3, 2009
Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location:  Early Learning Coalition Office
7334 Little Road, Suite 102
New Port Richey, FL 34654

Date: Wednesday, August 4, 2009
Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location:  Early Learning Coalition Office
26 S. Brooksville Avenue
Brooksville, FL 34601

Date: Thursday, August 5, 2009
Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Early Learning Coalition Office
15000 US HWY 301
Dade City, FL 33523

The Coalition’s goal is to educate families and provide the tools needed for them to make healthy nutritional choices.  The Coalition will partner with area child care providers to demonstrate healthy snack or lunch ideas at each event.  Families will receive small recipe booklets and be able to create some of these delicious creations.  In addition, other community agencies will be onsite to provide families with more information about health and nutrition.

Eat Smart for a Healthy Start would not be possible without the support of community partners UPS and Kohl’s Department Store.  The Coalition received a $1,000 community outreach donation from UPS to help with the cost of lunchboxes.  Kohl’s Department Store will send five sales associates known at the “A-Team” to volunteer at the New Port Richey event.  In addition to the manpower support, Kohl’s donated $500 in support of the event.  Kohl’s A-Team of volunteers have participated in other Coalition sponsored events in the past such as Jump Start to Early Learning and Pasco County’s Week of the Young Child -“The Storybook Forest.”  

For more information about Eat Smart for a Healthy Start, please contact the Early Learning Coalition at (727) 233-8291.

The Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties, Inc. is one of 31 Early Learning Coalitions in Florida.  It works to ensure that programs and services are available to assist families with young children during their formative years.  Florida’s Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) program is for all children who are four-years-old on or before September 1st.  School Readiness provides assistance for low-to-moderate income working families by paying a portion of the child care costs on a sliding fee schedule.

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The Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties, Inc. is one of 31 Early Learning Coalitions in Florida. It works to ensure that programs and services are available to assist families with young children during their formative years.