The school has already taken delivery of scores of boxes of cereals and other breakfast items after staff set up a collection point at the front of the supermarket four weeks ago for items to be donated by shoppers.

Owner Rochelle Ashcroft says she cannot believe the generosity of customers.

“People often don’t have $20 to give to a cause, but they are happy to see something on special and bring it out here and drop it into the cage,” she said.

“When we heard the school was doing a breakfast program once a week we really wanted to help.”

Bowen Public School acting principal Rob McPherson said the benefits for children of having a good breakfast before school are well documented.

“If they go into class with a fully belly they are in a much better place to learn,” he said.

“But our breakfast program isn’t just about children who haven’t had breakfast.

“Some children have to get up very early and eat breakfast early, so by 8.30am they can be hungry again and its a while until recess.”

Mrs Ashcroft said IGA staff had discussed making more of a contribution to the school.

“There is a group that does a wonderful job at the moment who are volunteers and they provide breakfast once a week,” she said.

“But we are hoping to work with the school next year so our staff can go over and provide it five days a week.”

janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au