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:

Summer Snack also generously provided a total of 3861 free, nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and snacks to: Saskatoon Public School Foundation Summer Reading Camps
Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools & United Way Saskatoon and Area’s Summer Success Literacy Camps.

Other: Coordinators dropped off lunches daily at St. Mary’s Youth Drop-in Centre. A total of 240 meals were provided to youth attending the centre.

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 – donations include fruit, vegetables, Cheez Whiz, Wow butter, jam. Yogurt, cheddar cheese blocks, baking supplies, other supplies (paper towels, baggies, etc.)

Thomas Fresh – 7 – 9 cases of fruit/week and a total of 60 watermelons

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

Nestor’s Bakery – 100 muffins or cookies/day, and 20 – 30 loaves of bread/day at cost – Monday to Friday

SJ Fine Foods – two cases of sausage and cheese sticks

Christie’s Bakery has provided significant gifts-in-kind (bread) for many decades. This year they were unable to support the program due to capacity issues. To show our sincere appreciation for their years of support, the SDLC presented Christie’s (Tracey Muzzolini) with a thank you gift to recognize their spirit of giving and their assistance in helping those in our community who require a “hand up”. Their donations truly made a difference for our program.

Treat Days

Three (3) pizza days were organized over the summer. The Program is grateful to United Steelworkers (Saskatoon & District), Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 2268, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 615 for each sponsoring one pizza day.
Staff provided 168 lunches to individuals around Prairie Harm Reduction with pizza leftovers from one of these days. Summer Snack also appreciates Service Employees International Union West’s sponsorship of an 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 throughout the summer including those from various unions, and the Youth Volunteer Program. 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: