The supermarket chain has donated $10,000 from its “Going Green” community fund toward the Bendigo Regional YMCA’s Community Breakfast program, that hopes to feed more than 500 kids a week.

Owner of the Strathfieldsaye and Maiden Gully IGA stores, Bill Bateson, said it was an important cause to support.

“We appreciate what a fantastic job the YMCA is doing in our schools and community and we are really happy to be supporting such a great cause,” he said.

The Community Breakfast program started last year and has grown to three different sites – Eaglehawk North Primary School, Spring Gully Primary School and recently, Maiden Gully Primary School.

The program aims to help ensure students are able to have a proper breakfast before going to school and enjoy a balanced diet.

Spring Gully Primary School principal Francis Tresize said the program had been well received at the school.

“Our students have thoroughly enjoyed the breakfast program and we have received many positive comments from our parents,” he said.

Bendigo Regional YMCA board president Jenni Jenkins said the sponsorship from IGA helped further their common aim in helping the local community. “We are so appreciative that they are getting behind our breaky program and helping us make a difference in Bendigo,” she said.