Feed children - parents told

Parents need to stand up and take responsibility for feeding their children.

That's the clear message from the Burwood Pegasus Community Board which has refused funding for a charity that provides breakfasts for needy school kids.

Bambini Charitable Trust had sought $5000 from the board which would have been used to provide food for pupils in the eastern surbubs as part of their breakfast club programme.

Said community board chairwoman Linda Stewart: "We declined the application because there was a concern that although it was worthy we felt that it would be setting up a reliance on breakfast to be provided and let parents off the hook.

"We put lots of consideration into this one.''

Bambini spokesman Rod James said he was disappointed with the community board decision.

"I guess I can understand where the council is coming from but put yourself in the point of view of a child who has no breakfast and is trying to learn,'' he said.

"My wife and I started this is because we realised at the end of the day it is not about what parents do or do not do - it is about giving kids the best possible start.''

City council staff had recommended the board provide the funding.

Ms Stewart said the community board also felt that similar projects were already operating in the eastern suburbs.

Mr James said that the Bambini programme was trying to take away the stigma of being labelled as needy.

"We are trying to take away the stigma of being identified as a kid who doesn't have breakfast. It prevents someone who is already feeling down to feel worse,'' he said.