A nutritional boost

BROOKDALE - Partnering together, students at various elementary schools in Cumberland County will be provided with nutritional snacks through the Salvation Army and Community Credit Union.

Smart Snacks, a program started by the Salvation Army last Sept., provides a bin of snacks to three elementary schools in Amherst and two in Springhill. In the beginning, the Salvation Army provided the funding for the project, but Community Credit Union's marketing manager Barry Veno became interested in lending a hand after talking to the principal at Spring Street Academy.

"It seems to be going over very well," Veno said after visiting Cumberland North Academy, one of the schools that uses the nutrition program constantly.

"I fill the bin at this school more often," said Captain Jamie Hillier. "The kids are using it readily, which is a good thing."

Inside the bin, students will find fruit cups, cereal bars, raisins, cheese and crackers and apple or orange juice, all items that will fall under the provincial school nutritional guidelines.

Also partnering is a food distribution company, who wants to remain as a silent partner. They provide the food, the Community Credit Union provides the funding, and Hillier purchases the food and packs up the bins.

The Salvation Army in Truro is also part of the program, providing the program to an elementary school in both Truro and Bass River, and a middle school in Bass River.

"When you see what it does… it's a great program," said Edith Doyle, Amherst Credit Union's branch manager.

While visiting the school for about 20 minutes, Doyle, Veno and board director Roger MacIsaac saw several students walk into the office and ask for a snack.



rtetanish@amherstdaily.com