KINGSTON, Jamaica- Confectionery and Snacks, through their brand Sunshine Cereals, has awarded $300,000 to St Jude’s Primary School in Kingston for its breakfast programme after past student Shakera Grant won the “Sunshine Cereals Rep Your School” in June.

Sunshine Cereals’ brand manager Keisha Prince, said this initiative underscores their dedication to fostering healthy lifestyles and supporting educational institutions in Jamaica.

“The objective of the competition was to share the cash prize with a local school to support their canteen in introducing a breakfast program,” Prince pointed out.

“Proper nutrition is essential for effective learning as it provides students with the energy and focus they need to excel academically. By ensuring that students receive a nutritious start to their day, we are supporting both their health and education,” she added.

She continued: “As a brand, Sunshine Cereals believes that part of its corporate responsibility is to give back while contributing to nation-building and the best place to start is in our schools. This competition was not just about providing financial support, but also about creating sustainable change within educational institutions by providing the resources needed to offer breakfast and a positive learning environment where students can thrive”.

Prince, who piloted the initiative, handed over the cheque during a ceremony at the school recently and St Jude’s Primary School has already integrated their products into their breakfast programme and values the quality nutritional support they provide and thanked all the contestants across Jamaica who participated in the competition.

The handover ceremony took place at St Jude’s Primary School late last month and principal, Susanne Ainsworth, expressed her gratitude, highlighting the significant impact of this contribution on their breakfast program and the overall well-being of the students.

“The St Jude’s Primary School would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Sunshine Cereals for hosting the Rep Your School competition through which we were able to win a grand prize of $300,000. This incredible opportunity would not have been possible without their generous support and dedication to promoting education, as well as school spirit, within the community.

“We would like to express our gratitude to Shaneka Grant who represented her school as a past student and helped us secure this amazing blessing. We are grateful to her for contributing to our success in this competition. This prize will help us as a school to invest in our ‘Breakfast Programme’,” said Ainsworth.

In thanking Sunshine Cereals for their efforts, Ainsworth called on corporate Jamaica to provide similar types of support for primary schools nationwide.

“Thanks to Miss Keisha Prince, Brand Manager and brainchild behind this competition. We are extremely proud of the brand and ask that corporate Jamaica place emphasis on sponsoring the foundation of education (Primary Schools). Sponsorship is needed for us to be able to cater, especially for the needy. We are grateful too for the publicity this competition will bring us,” Ainsworth added.