Niagara Snacks n’ Sneakers programs aim to outfit kids for school

Several Niagara agencies have kicked off campaigns to ensure kids start school on the right foot.

Make that, feet. Through the Snacks n’ Sneakers program, they aim to provide backpacks filled with school supplies and healthy snacks, plus a new pair of running shoes, for children and teens from families that otherwise might not be able to afford it.

Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold, The Hope Centre in Welland, Project Share in Niagara Falls, Port Cares in Port Colborne and Community Care of West Niagara are all working on campaigns.

“This program has grown. It started off in St. Catharines only, and now it’s offered throughout the region and other parts of the province as well,” said Betty-lou Souter, chief executive officer at Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold. “We all firmly believe that every child should have the opportunity to start back to school on the right foot.”

Canadian Tire Bank is a full partner, and through its affiliate stores will provide pairs of shoes to go with the backpacks. Souter said donations of backpacks or school supplies are welcome, as are cash donations.

“Money goes a long way,” she said. “We have access to working with partners in the industry who are aiming to help us with the backpacks, so we’re getting them at a reduced price.”

A $25 donation will be enough to help cover the costs for one child. Donations of $10 or more come with a tax receipt.

Souter said Community Care wants to provide backpacks and shoes for 1,000 kids in St. Catharines and Thorold born between 2004 and 2017 and whose family has registered with the program.

It can be expensive to send kids back to school — students are expected to have two pairs of shoes, for indoors and outdoors. The backpacks will include markers or crayons, notebooks and similar items.

Niagara Nutrition Partners will provide healthy snacks for each backpack.

Souter said donations lagged last year, largely because so many events that collected items or donations were cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Canadian Tire Bank vicepresident Dave Difelice said in a release, “Our Snacks n’ Sneakers program helps put kids on an equal playing field when it comes to participating in physical activity and being ready to learn.”

More information on local campaigns is online: For Port Cares, visit Portcares.on.ca; for Project Share, Projectshare.ca; for The Hope Centre, Thehopecentre.net; and for Community Care of West Niagara, Communitycarewn.ca.

For Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold, parents or guardians must phone the St. Catharines office at 905685-1349 or Thorold office at 905-227-9240 to book an appointment, which are confirmed on a first come, first served basis.

Registration closes Aug. 13 at 3 p.m. Pickup dates are Aug. 19 and 20, and Aug. 23 to 27. Children’s shoe size is needed for registration.