Why It Matters
New Brunswick is in a hunger crisis.
Food insecurity has surged 88% since 2019, with 30% of households struggling to put food on the table in 2023. Children are hit the hardest: nearly 1 in 5 kids in NB — more than 31,000 children — are growing up in poverty.
In Saint John, the picture is even more severe: 27% of children live in poverty, the highest rate in Canada. In neighbourhoods like Ward 3, child poverty reaches 42%, with some blocks as high as 85%.
This isn’t just about empty stomachs. It’s about lost potential — kids falling behind in school, families stretched to breaking points, and entire communities carrying the cost.
What Research Tells Us
Hungry children are twice as likely to be in poor health.
Teachers report hunger impacts learning: 80% see lower concentration and 76% see academic decline in food-insecure kids.
Food insecurity fuels stress, anxiety, and social isolation — kids withdrawing at snack time, skipping playdates, and missing the chance to belong.
Hunger doesn’t just take food off the table. It takes away health, connection and opportunity.
The Sharing Snack Difference
The Sharing Snack was built to tackle these gaps head-on.
Barrier-free access: Families enrolled in the program receive up to 15 snack packs a month — no applications, no red tape.
Sustainable funding model: Snack packs are also available for purchase. Every purchase acts as a donation, turning high-traffic sites into donation hubs that fund free snacks in high-need areas.
Kid-friendly by design: Bright bags, fun notes, and simple choices create a positive, stigma-free experience for kids.
Connection restored: Snacks unlock everyday moments — playdates, after-school hangouts, family outings — where kids can show up with confidence.
Why It Works
The Sharing Snack is more than food. It’s a proven, scalable model that:
Meets urgent food insecurity needs with dignity.
Creates healthy, positive associations with food.
Restores belonging and connection for children.
Turns community participation into program sustainability.
We believe every child deserves to feel feed, confident, and cared for.