Joanne Dyck and her children Bronwyn and Ezra have spent nearly 200 hours packing healthy snacks for the Preschool Nutrition Program in the last year.
Each week they pack paper bags with a variety of items including fruit, vegetables, crackers, cheese, yogurt, and juice boxes. Our teams of caring volunteers then hand deliver the snacks to the family’s home. Each volunteer is matched with a family.
The program aims to provide healthy daily snacks for children who are not yet in school. Healthy eating is costly, and these snacks help supplement that cost.
“It’s also about educating families on healthy eating habits.” said Joanne. The program is also designed to be a connecting point for volunteers to begin building relationship with families they deliver to.
“Connecting with the families is the best part for us,” Joanne smiles. Bronwyn and Ezra are quick to recall the times they’ve enjoyed, like having their family over for lunch, or visiting their house.
“It’s been great to get to know them and see God working in their lives. We became quite attached to the family we delivered to last year. This year they don’t need the program, but we’d still love to get together with them.”
The people who receive these snack packs are really appreciative. “The father of family we delivered to last year wanted to give back so badly. He was off work due to injury, but couldn’t wait until they would be in a position to give back again.”
In the last year, the program has grown from serving two families, to delivering to five families.
And more are waiting.
Monetary donations to this program are welcome. And, if connecting with families in this way sounds like a fit for your family, feel free to contact the program coordinator to apply.