 We all know that eating breakfast helps kids do better in school. But the sad fact is that not all children have access to the food they need to be healthy and productive every day. Nearly 16 million children in our country are uncertain about where or when their next nutritious meal will be. We need to change that. I want to tell you about a program that's helping thousands of children across the country right now. It's called Breakfast in the Classroom. For those of you who haven't heard about it, I'm here at Francis Elementary School in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia to show you how it works. Come on in. Universal Breakfast in the Classroom is a program that reworks the traditional school breakfast program by moving it from the cafeteria and into the classroom. It is eaten by students after the opening bell, usually while the teacher or paraeducator is taking attendance, collecting homework or teaching a short lesson. Breakfast in the classroom is served to every child for free, no matter their income level, so no one feels singled out. In about 10 or 15 minutes, the meal is over and all evidence is cleaned away, but the benefits of Breakfast in the Classroom continue throughout the day. All research shows that everyone does better when they start out of the day with a breakfast. Children will do better when they have a full stomach, can concentrate on the content area, and the program makes great sense.