Another generous showing from the Portage la Prairie community helped make the 11th annual Brake for Breakfast fundraiser a success once again. While final numbers are still being tallied, early estimates show that more than 3,000 boxes of cereal and over $11,000 in cash and online donations were collected during the two-day event. All proceeds support school breakfast programs across the Portage la Prairie School Division, ensuring students have access to essentials like milk, fruit, and other perishable items that help them start the day ready to learn. The event ran Thursday and Friday in the Sobeys parking lot, with local radio stations Mix 96, CFRY, and Country 93 broadcasting live from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Community members drove by to drop off donations, while students, teachers, and other volunteers helped sort cereal boxes, welcome donors, and keep everything running smoothly. In addition to supporting a great cause, donors had the chance to win prizes, including a $1,000 gift card from Sobeys Portage and a $1,000 mattress from Dino’s Appliance and Mattress Centre. Organizers say the need for school food programs continues to grow, and events like Brake for Breakfast help ensure no student starts their day on an empty stomach. Now in its 11th year, Brake for Breakfast has become a fall tradition in Portage — one that combines community spirit, school pride, and a shared commitment to student well-being.