The Beginning

In 1988, 2 teachers noticed a gap in service when they realized that although children were supplied with nutrition during the school year, they did not have that same resource during the summer months. They approached the SDLC and the Summer Snack Program was created – that was 36 years ago. The SDLC Summer Snack Program is a registered charitable organization, and its mandate is to provide nutrition 7 days a week during July and August to children who may otherwise go hungry. Although the program’s primary target population is children, no one is turned away. The program’s name is somewhat misleading as there is much more than “snacks” provided. Coordinators are hired and with assistance from volunteers, they prepare, deliver, and serve lunches at neighbourhood parks. A typical lunch consists of a sandwich served on whole wheat bread, fruit, vegetables, milk, cheddar cheese, and yogurt. The Coordinators work closely with City of Saskatoon park staff who assist the coordinators in determining park locations with the greatest need for this service.

Summer Reading Programs:

Provided a total of 2365 free nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and snacks to: 

• Saskatoon Public School Foundation Summer Reading Camps
• Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools and United Way Saskatoon and Area Summer Success Literacy Camps

Gifts-in-Kind

Summer Snack could not provide the breadth of nutrition without the generous gifts-in-kind received from local businesses and organizations:

Federated Co-op Warehouse – delivered weekly truckloads of supplies such as Cheez Whiz, jam, Wow butter, yogurt, produce, etc.

Thomas Fresh – weekly donations of large quantities of fresh fruit

Saskatoon Public Schools – use of WP Bates School nutrition room for food preparation, storage, and baking

Nestor’s Bakery – 30 loaves of bread each weekday along with a daily supply of muffins or cookies

SJ Fine Foods – 6 cases of meat and cheese sticks

Christie’s Bakery – 10 loaves of bread Tuesday through Friday

Treat Days

Two (2) pizza days were organized over the summer.  The Program is grateful to Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 2268 and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 615 for each sponsoring one pizza day.

Service Employees International West sponsored their annual ice cream day.

The kids thoroughly enjoyed these “treat days” and the change to the menu!

Other Acknowledgements

Thanks to the many volunteers who assisted through the summer including those from various unions, the Youth Volunteer Program, and SJ Fine Foods. Summer Snack’s ability to operate and to continue to grow is also dependent on:

• Grant money
• Generous ongoing donations from SDLC affiliated and other non-affiliated unions
• Donation of food and money from individuals

The Summer Snack Program is more than providing nutrition – the kids look forward to the friendship, leadership, and stability the Coordinators provide. Relationships are formed. Coordinators are called “mom”, “big sister” by some and receive many hugs on a daily basis. Many in our city count on Summer Snack each summer. The SDLC and its affiliates are committed to keeping this program operating and ensuring vulnerable children, youth, and adults have free access to nutrition during the summer months.

The SDLC is extremely grateful for the support from the following funders: