School snacking.

The goal of The Salvation Army’s Pantry34 program is ensuring that all youth in Abbotsford have access to healthy, nutritious snacks and beverages at any time of the school day, distributed at the teacher’s discretion, as part of their normal school routine.

The program runs from September – June each year and currently serves 17 schools in Abbotsford’s School District 34. Salvation Army volunteers assemble food and beverages into large re-useable bins in the Meal Centre, and a driver delivers the bins to each school as needed. Each school has an average of 10 – 25 kids who regularly use the program.

“Just a note to thank you and your delivery people for the tasty snacks and drinks we receive from you. We really appreciate the food as sometimes we come without having had a big breakfast and not enough to in our lunch. Sometimes we just need a snack to keep us going. Sometimes we don’t get a snack when we get home so having something at school to tie me over until supper does my tummy good. Thank you for providing us with food and snacks.” – Jackson Elementary Students