By eating a smile could help put a smile on a local kid's face.

You've no doubt seen the smile cookies at the local Tim Hortons coffee shops.

Louise Harshman, owner of the Port Elgin and Southampton franchises, says she has decided to keep the money raised from her smile cookies in the local community.

Harshman says each franchise has the chance to choose which charity to support, and she has chosen Grey-Bruce Eat & Learn.

She tells Bayshore Broadcasting News she was involved with the breakfast club program at her children's school (St. Basil's), and it used to be just white toast and jam.

But after an opportunity to connect with the Eat & Learn program, she realized what a wonderful resource it is for area children.

Bev Gateman, the nutrition coordinator with the program, says they must now offer three food groups with the meals.

They serve 12-thousand students a day yogurt, cheese, or milk, as well as whole grain items, and fruits and vegetables.

But Gateman says the funding they get from the government only equals about 12 cents per child per day.

She is thrilled that Harshman has chosen to support their program again this year.

Last year, just under 38-hundred dollars was raised in Port Elgin and Southampton through the one week campaign.

Tim Hortons restaurants in Kincardine, Hanover, Walkerton, Durham and Dundalk are also supporting Grey-Bruce Eat & Learn.

Gateman says the program is available to any and all students -- regardless of their family's economic situation or if they've eaten already.

She says some students have long bus rides or others partake in clubs or activities before starting school for the day, and it's important they are properly nourished and ready to learn.

The smile cookie campaign wraps up Sunday night.