PALS volunteers serve breakfast with a smile

At about 8:10 a.m. on a Tuesday, you can hear the children coming down the hall before they line up at the breakfast room at Prince Charles Elementary School in Saint John, N.B.

The joyful rumpus marks the start of Reid Palmer and Jamie Cole’s favourite part of their Tuesday mornings. Both employees of J.D. Irving, Limited, the two are also breakfast program volunteers through PALS (Partners Assisting Local Schools), serving up breakfast with a smile to dozens of children.

Each week, Reid, a Project Lead with JDI IT, and Jamie, an Accounts Payable Associate with Kent Building Supplies, arrive at the school around 7:45 a.m. to prepare breakfast for 150 students.

“Reid has the toast under control – she makes the toastiest toast – and I help get the rest of the snacks and cereal set up,” Jamie said. “We hear the first chatter of kids coming down the hall at 8:10 on the dot. From then on, it’s a steady stream of bubbly kids coming in to get their breakfast, socialize with one another and share something funny or fun with Reid and I.”

For Jamie and Reid, this weekly ritual sets the right tone before the workday begins.

“My favourite part is getting to talk and connect with the kids,” said Reid, who’s been volunteering with the program for a year. “They always have a funny story or something interesting happening, making it a great way to start the day.”

Jamie first became involved with PALS seven years ago and has been volunteering with the breakfast program since 2023.

PALS was co-founded 25 years ago by the late Chairman James K. Irving in partnership with the Anglophone South School District. It’s gone on to support over 30 schools with over 150 community partners with a belief that every child deserves to reach their full potential.

“I love how PALS fills the gaps with a variety of programming to address food security, mentoring influence, tutoring, extra-curricular activities and so much more,” Jamie said. “I was excited for an opportunity to become part of a supportive network, which helps to build children up.”

The breakfast program is funded by the New Brunswick Department of Education and is supported by many dedicated volunteers like Reid and Jamie.

“It is a great positive social way for the children to start their day and have breakfast at the same time,” said Lori Doyle, Principal of Prince Charles School. “Our program not only benefits our children but supports families as well as it can be a bit of a stress reliever to know that your child is offered a healthy breakfast before beginning their school day.”