Toronto District School Board Hats Launch to Fund Student Breakfasts
Canadian rock band Arkells launched a pre-order campaign on Monday for vintage-style caps featuring the Toronto District School Board logo, with all proceeds supporting student nutrition programs across the city. CTV News reported that the hats are priced at $40 each on the band’s online store, offering supporters a grey floppy hat and a green rope hat.
The initiative directs funding straight to the Toronto Foundation for Student Success, which operates Student Nutrition Programs serving more than 284,000 healthy meals every school day. Band frontman Max Kerman designed the green rope hat to honor public education and his mother, who worked as a special education teacher at Central Technical School near Bathurst and Harbord streets.
Kerman uses TDSB logo to champion public institutions
Kerman developed the concept after fielding frequent inquiries about his choice of headwear and deciding to draw attention to public institutions instead. He sent a Google image of the green apple TDSB logo to his merchandise manufacturer to produce the vintage cap.
This is a symbol that is available to everybody, and shouldn’t we nourish those symbols? Shouldn’t we champion those symbols?
Kerman told CTV News Toronto. I hate exclusivity, but especially when it comes to kids, and the idea that some kids are living an exclusive life and others aren’t, is something I think we can all do something about.
The frontman attended Harbord Collegiate Institute, located just blocks away from where his mother taught students coming from low-income households with limited home resources. Other Canadian artists, including Jim Cuddy and The Beaches, have also worn the cap to support the conversation surrounding public schools.
Addressing Student Hunger in Toronto
The decision to direct all proceeds toward breakfast programs stemmed from Kerman observing his nieces and nephews in high schools offering daily nutrition, combined with the classroom stories shared by his mother. Food costs have heightened financial pressures on lower-income families throughout the city.
Every kid should have the same chance of a good education when they walk through (their school’s) doors, and I think that’s what we need to do collectively, is strive for that,
Kerman said.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can buyers purchase the Toronto District School Board hats?
The grey floppy hat and green rope hat are available for pre-order on the official Arkells online store for $40 each.
Which organization receives the money raised from the hat sales?
All proceeds go directly to the Toronto Foundation for Student Success to support its Student Nutrition Programs.
How many students benefit from the nutrition programs supported by this campaign?
The Student Nutrition Programs provide more than 284,000 healthy meals to students across Toronto every school day.
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