What happens to children ‘After the Bell’ rings?

May 08, 2019

Mississauga, May 8, 2019 - School breakfast, lunch and after school programs provide much needed support, but where do those children go in July and August? After the last school bell rings for the summer months, children are often left to fend for themselves, navigating the distressing world of food insecurity and hunger during the summer vacation.

Food Banks Canada is proud to announce its fourth annual After the Bell packing day to provide specially created healthy food packs for children during the summer months, when it’s often needed most. On Wednesday, May 15 at the International Centre in Mississauga, 1,000+ corporate volunteers and Food Banks Canada employees will pack 100,000 healthy food packs to be distributed to children in communities in need. The packs will arrive into the hands of children across Canada, through local food banks.

“Summer hunger is an upsetting issue. Most children look forward to summer vacation as a time for fun and rest, but for those living with food insecurity, it can be a time of worry. After the Bell helps fill the gap during the summer months with healthy food packs for children dealing with hunger”, says Chris Hatch, CEO of Food Banks Canada.

Packing Day is an excellent opportunity for corporations and organizations to engage their employees and educate them about food insecurity and child hunger in Canada. Corporations can participate in next year’s event by reaching out to Food Banks Canada.

“McCormick Canada is a proud supporter of the After the Bell program, both as a program sponsor and by also sending a group of team members from French’s and Club House to help assemble these critical packs. No child should ever go hungry, and it has given us immense pleasure to contribute to a program that gets food to children in need this summer,” says Cheryl Radisa, Vice President of Marketing, McCormick Canada.

Each healthy food pack will include a mix of Kellogg’s individual cereal servings, Kashi/Special K bars, Cloverleaf hummus with crackers, Organic Meadows organic, shelf stable milk, Quaker oatmeal, Wow Butter, raisins and fresh fruits and vegetables or dairy.

Media is welcome at packing day. Opportunities will be available to speak with Food Banks Canada CEO Chris Hatch, to feature team packing demonstrations, and for media to participate.

Food Banks Canada is the only national charitable organization dedicated to helping Canadians living with hunger. It supports a network of 10 Provincial Associations and more than 600 food banks, sharing food and funds and delivering programs and services.

After the Bell is generously supported by our Presenting Partner McCormick Canada, our Lead Partners Kellogg Canada Inc and Loblaw Companies Limited, and our Supporters Compass Group Canada, The Global Food Banking Network, Hershey Canada Inc, Mondelez Canada, PepsiCo Canada ULC, and Organic Meadow Inc. The event space is generously supported by our Official Venue Sponsor, The International Centre. Additional product donations have been provided by Clover Leaf Seafoods and Kellogg Canada Inc.

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