By Lan Chi Nguyen, Williamstown Media
The Williamstown Football Club (WFC) is proud to support the development of the Fuelling The Future (FTF) program, a project initiated and launched by WFC Speccie members Lex, 14, and Ted, 16.
As part of its sustainable commitment to community welfare, the Club has supported this program through providing logistical support for the pilot phase. WFC community partners, Mobil, have also jumped on board to sustain the program for 2025.
FTF was founded in response to a growing issue affecting Australian children: food insecurity. Due to the rising cost of living, many families struggle to meet basic nutritional needs, leaving children without sufficient food to sustain them through the school day. According to the latest Foodbank report, 1 in 5 children go to school without breakfast at least once a week, while 1 in 10 go without food all day.
Recognising the impact of hunger on children’s concentration ability and energy levels at their school, Lex and Ted developed Fuelling The Future to provide snack packs to vulnerable children. They founded FTF with the assurance that students receive essential nourishment, helping them to focus, learn, and thrive in the classroom.
With the support of WFC, the FTF pilot program was launched in two local primary schools: Williamstown North Primary School and St Mary’s Primary. The program distributed 160 snack packs to children experiencing food insecurity and achieved overwhelmingly positive results:
- 90% of teachers observed improved energy levels in students who ate the snack packs.
- 70% of teachers noticed enhanced concentration and classroom engagement from students.
- 95% of school representatives stated that the pilot program was highly beneficial.
- 100% of students reported that they enjoyed the snack packs.
The snack packs, curated with guidance from an accredited practicing dietitian, include nutritious, non-perishable items such as flavoured milk, savoury biscuits, and fruit cups. These snacks are designed to supplement, not replace, regular meals, ensuring that students have the necessary sustenance to support their daily learning.
Following the success of the pilot, the FTF program aims to expand in 2025, with a goal of providing 2,000 snack packs across participating schools in the Hobsons Bay area. The initiative is actively seeking new schools to accompany and share the goal of a healthier, more supported student community in the 2025 school year.
WFC encourages and welcomes schools, businesses, and individuals to get involved and support this initiative and extends their gratitude to Mobil for their invaluable support in helping to expand and give the program a sustainable future.
WFC also congratulates Lex and Ted for founding the FTF program and striving to make a meaningful impact on children facing food insecurity.
For more information on the FTF program, please get in contact here.
