Students are halfway through the school year, and our Food Bank’s back-to-school program, After the Bell (ATB) has made a meaningful difference in the lives of children aged 4 to12.

We distributed over 900 kid-friendly snack hampers. While food banks such as ours typically distribute full grocery loads for families, our ATB Snack Program is intentionally designed to be enjoyable for children’s snacks to bring to school. 

Beyond simply providing snacks, this program works as an indirect yet powerful way of removing barriers that can hinder a child’s ability to fully participate in school. 

Reports indicate that hungry students are more likely to experience difficulty concentrating, lower academic performance, and higher rates of illness. 

It was also said, hunger also creates stress and anxiety that further interfere with memory, mood, and overall learning capacity.

Therefore, something as simple as a weekly snack hamper can quietly eliminate the stress and stigma that often accompany food insecurity, allowing children to show up ready to learn in school.

Families continue to express how impactful this support has been. 

One parent beneficiary shared, “This snack program helps my kids feel included and excited to go to school — it really eases the burden during back-to-school season.” 

By easing financial pressure at home and ensuring children have what they need during the school day, the ATB program helps remove invisible barriers that often affect attendance, participation, and self-esteem.

By addressing the basic need of food insecurity, it also supports learning, confidence, and the overall well-being of each child. 

As we move through the second half of the school year, the ATB Program remains committed to sustaining this support.

Resources

England, K. (2025, April 30). The impacts of food insecurity on students in Canada. Canadian Association of Principals.

No Kid Hungry. (2023, April 24). How does hunger affect learning?