Snack Time Gets a Boost from ‘After the Bell’

Kelli McRobert | Jun 26, 2025

This summer, children in South Frontenac will be able to focus on being kids — swinging, splashing, and soaking in the sunshine — thanks to a delivery of 35 food packages from After the Bell, a national initiative committed to closing the summer hunger gap.

When school ends, so do many of the supports families count on — including daily access to nutritious meals. That’s where After the Bell, created by Food Banks Canada, steps in. Each year, the program provides over 210,000 shelf-stable, kid-friendly food packs to food banks across the nation. These curated bundles include staples such as milk, hummus, cereal, oatmeal, crackers, and sunflower seeds — snacks that children enjoy, providing the nutrients they need.  Many kids say that fresh fruit is a real treat, a luxury that many of us take for granted.

Southern Frontenac Community Services (SFCS) is among the participating food banks receiving this summer lifeline. The 35 boxes recently delivered are more than food — they’re a reminder that the community cares. Thanks to additional grant funding, SFCS also supplements each pack with locally sourced perishables, such as apples, snap peas, yogurt, and cheese, helping kids stay nourished and energized throughout the season.

In the food bank, a wall of After the Bell boxes lines the space. The lime green bags tucked inside are bright, cheerful, and packed with nutritious snacks and drinks, distributed bi-weekly over eight weeks. For families who struggle during the summer months, this simple rhythm of support is a powerful reassurance. Jody Riddle, the food bank coordinator, said it is exciting for SFCS to have been selected for the boxes, and she was hopeful that the program would evolve.

The need in Frontenac is growing. Nearly 100 children in the area rely on summertime food support, she explained. While this year’s program currently reaches 35 children, SFCS is working creatively — through community donations and smart budgeting — to hopefully expand its reach to 70.

“We know hunger is an issue when school lets out; often, their only opportunity for a good meal is during a school day,” she said. “These food packs help ensure that children in our community don’t miss out on healthy snacks during the summer break.”

In Ontario, more than 15% of children live in households that are food insecure. When school-based nutrition programs pause for the summer, those pressures intensify.

That’s the magic of After the Bell. Closing the summer meal gap opens the door to a summer full of possibilities. Whether kids are running through sprinklers, jumping into the pool with friends, or exploring backyard adventures, they can do so with the nourishment and energy every child deserves.

To help bring this support to more families, visit the SFCS website to donate funds, food, or time. Every contribution, big or small, helps ensure kids have access to tasty, nourishing snacks all summer long, bringing fullness, fun, and a sense of belonging to every sunny day.

For more information https://foodbankscanada.ca/after-the-bell/ or call SFCSC at 613-376-6477, ext. 203. #afterthebellprogram