With the return to school this week, and the end to summer holidays for many people, it's another busy time for the Sudbury Food Bank.
It's looking for donations to stock its shelves for the fall.
For the last two weeks, the Sudbury Food Bank has been busy distributing food to its 44-member agencies with products for students heading back to school.
Officials with the food bank say they had almost 12 tonnes of snacks distributed within the last four weeks, but are now completely out of certain items
Dan Xilon is the Executive Director of the Sudbury Food Bank.
"We are actually out of the stuff we need for children's lunches, school bags, and after school snacks. But having said that, all the food banks got filled up last week, and the first day of school is tomorrow. So, we’re probably fine for a week, as long as we have some more for let's say, next week." said Xilon.
And officials say they don’t see this high demand for snacks slowing down once school begins.
Debbie VanderHeyden is a captain at the Salvation Army.
"It's been busy. And we anticipate that it will continue to be busy, now that kids are back in school." said VanderHeyden.
Lunchtime can be a very important time of day for students socially.
“It's important that youngsters are able to take this to school with them, because it helps, even in the social hierarchy in school, you got to be able to have this stuff." said Xilon.
The food bank serves just over 11,000 people per month. Of that number, about 6,500 are children, which is why there is a need for certain snack items at this time.
"Fruit Cups, pudding cups, granola bars, Bear Paws, Nutrigrain bars, you can never have enough juice boxes." said Xilon.
"If they are too healthy, the kids may not enjoy them, but things like Bear Paws, that's a nice little treat. I know for myself, when you're anticipating lunch, it's fun to think that you have something good waiting for you." said VanderHeyden.
For those interested in donating, people can drop off food items at the food bank on Webbwood Drive in Sudbury from Monday to Friday, between 9 am and 5 pm.
