Small Bites, Big Impact: How Second Harvest’s Snack Packing Pilot Fuelled Summer Camps in Winnipeg and Calgary

During the summer, the Spence Neighbourhood Association Inc. (SNA) in Winnipeg ran three daily programs where children and youth participated in crafts, sports and cultural activities while developing a sense of ownership and belonging in their community.  

As excited as they were about painting, swimming and helping out in the vegetable garden, many children also looked forward to something else: their daily snack bags.  

“Often, the first thing kids would ask [when they arrive at the camp] is ‘Can I have a snack bag?’” said Samantha Harrison, chef and kitchen manager at Spence Neighbourhood Association.  

Across Canada, 2.4 million children are living in food-insecure households. When school is out, children who rely on school-based food programs can lose access to an important source of nutrition. That’s when community organizations step in, helping bridge the summer gap — and this year, Second Harvest's Feeding Our Future Snack Packing Pilot, made possible by Osmow’s, gave our non-profit partners in Winnipeg and Calgary an additional way to support children and youth.

Each snack kit, packed by a team of local volunteers, included nutritious items such as applesauce cups, juice boxes, granola bars and crackers. Throughout the summer, approximately 20,000 kits were packed and distributed to camps and community programs, fuelling children through busy days of learning and playing.  

Elsewhere in Winnipeg, the snack packs supported the Seven Oaks EAL Summer Camp, which offers educational and enrichment activities for students learning English as an additional language. Most campers are newcomers to Canada, and some families are navigating financial challenges as they settle into their new home.

“I personally witnessed the positive impact these snacks had on the students,” said Jagdeep Toor, learning supports teacher at Seven Oaks School Division. “Providing healthy snacks helped support their well-being, increased their energy levels and contributed to a more positive and focused learning environment throughout the camp.”

In Calgary, the snacks became an important part of the experience at Camp Hope, which serves children and youth aged six to 17, many of whom Hope Mission works with year-round through after-school programs. The camp is designed to be accessible to families who may face barriers to a traditional summer camp, with fees offered on a sliding scale based on what they can afford.

For some children, Camp Hope is an opportunity to experience something new: from riding a bike for the first time to leaving the city or making s'mores.  

Having a variety of options in the snack packs meant they could be used throughout the day. Staff served them at breakfast, brought them along to activities, offered them before campfires and even gave campers something to eat on the bus ride home.

“The snack packs that we've been receiving this summer — oh my goodness — have been such a gift for the kids,” said Lindsay Gustaw, program manager at Camp Hope.  

For one teenage camper who struggled to eat in front of others, having a snack pack she could take quietly, on her own terms, made all the difference — a small accommodation that let her eat without the pressure of a shared table.

The Community Kitchen Program of Calgary distributed the snacks through their Tummy Tamers program, which provides nutritious food to children, youth and families experiencing food insecurity. Some of their sites welcomed more than 500 children each week, many of whom struggled to bring food to camp.

“Seeing the relief and joy on their faces made every single snack pack worthwhile!” said Lucy Trevino, youth program coordinator.  

For her team, the snack packs also freed up resources that would otherwise have gone toward sourcing food themselves, giving staff more time to engage with children.  

“We've seen firsthand how a simple, nutritious snack can completely change a child’s day, turning anxiety about hunger into relief and replacing stress with a smile,” she added. “Knowing that partners like Osmow’s stand with us makes all the difference, and we are deeply grateful for their partnership and compassion in helping us care for our community."

As kids head back to school this September, Second Harvest is grateful for the collaboration between our non-profit partners, volunteers, Sysco and Osmow's, whose funding made the snack packing pilot possible. Together, we ensured that more children could spend less time worrying about their next meal and more time learning, playing and enjoying being kids.

We look forward to building on this pilot and expanding the program to even more communities in the years ahead.