Snacks N’ Sneakers 2024 program supported 1200 kids in St. Catharines and 300 in Thorold!
Snacks N’ Sneakers is partnership program focused on supporting thousands of low income children aged 4 to 17 whose families are facing poverty. With an increase of 29% of children being served in 2023, and with competing challenges that are and do affect the well-being of our youth – inflation, unemployment increases and immigration growth – this program is an essential service for families, providing key resources to help our young population with tools and resources to be successful in their education and learning. We know that nourishment improves mental and physical health, academic success, sociability and wellbeing. This program also ensures that associated stigmas are removed, delivering the program in a sensitive and secure environment, so all children go to school on equal footing. This is done through a simple application process, specific to families who are registered with Community Care, that have children attending Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12.
This year our St. Catharines location distributed 46% to children ages 3-9, 37% between 10-14, and 16% between 15 and 20 years of age.
We could not have supported these families without the generous support of our many partners including Canadian Tire Bank, Enercare, Henry Schein, St. Catharines Golf and Country Club members Mary Jane Rochfort and Deb Nighrider, Intact Foundation, FMC for the generous support of supplies as well as financial support to ensure we could purchase the necessary items.
