Surrey Fire Fighters' Nutritional Snack Program Society

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:

The Surrey Fire Fighters’ Nutritional Snack Program Society is a charitable initiative dedicated to addressing student hunger in Surrey, British Columbia. Established in 1997 and incorporated in 2020, the program provides nutritious snacks to vulnerable students across School District #36. Currently serving approximately 7,500 children in over 130 schools, the program ensures students have access to food that supports their health, focus, and academic success. Volunteers, including firefighters and school staff, handle purchasing and distribution, allowing all donations to go directly toward food. By meeting a basic need, the program helps improve attendance, behaviour, and overall well-being, ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive.

"What makes your organization’s work important in Surrey and area?"

"The SFFNSPS plays a vital role in Surrey by addressing a growing and often unseen issue—student hunger. With many families facing rising living costs and food insecurity, thousands of children arrive at school without adequate nutrition. This directly impacts their ability to concentrate, regulate emotions, and fully participate in learning. By providing consistent access to healthy snacks, the program helps remove a key barrier to education. Teachers report improved focus, behaviour, and attendance among students who benefit. Beyond academics, the program supports children’s overall well-being, dignity, and sense of inclusion. Importantly, the program reaches students across a large and diverse district, ensuring support is accessible where it’s needed most. Its volunteer-driven model also ensures that community donations are maximized, creating a meaningful and direct impact on children and families throughout Surrey."

"What programs or services do you currently offer?"

"The Surrey Fire Fighters’ Nutritional Snack Program Society currently offers a focused but high-impact set of services centered on reducing student hunger: 1. Nutritional Snack Provision The core program provides healthy, ready-to-eat snacks—such as granola bars, fruit cups, juice, cheese and crackers, and other individually packaged items—to students in need. These foods are selected to be easy to distribute and nutritionally supportive for learning and energy. 2. School-Based Distribution Network Snacks are delivered directly to over 130 schools within Surrey School District #36. Firefighters purchase, organize, and transport the food, while school staff distribute it discreetly to students who need it. 3. Monthly/On-Demand Ordering System for Schools Schools can request snacks through an organized ordering system with scheduled delivery dates, ensuring consistent and reliable access to food throughout the school year. 4. Barrier-Free Access (No-Cost Program) All snacks are provided free of charge to both schools and students, removing financial barriers and ensuring equitable access to nutrition. 5. Community-Driven Delivery Model The program is volunteer-run, with firefighters and school staff handling logistics. This keeps overhead low and ensures that donations go directly toward purchasing food. Together, these services create a simple but highly effective system that gets food quickly and consistently into the hands of students who need it most."

"Who benefits from your work?"

"The Surrey Fire Fighters’ Nutritional Snack Program Society supports a wide range of individuals and the broader community: Students in Need The primary beneficiaries are students experiencing food insecurity across Surrey. These include children who may come to school without breakfast or lunch, or whose families are struggling with the rising cost of living. Access to nutritious snacks helps them stay focused, engaged, and ready to learn. Families The program also eases pressure on families facing financial challenges. By supplementing their children’s daily nutrition, it helps stretch limited household budgets and reduces stress for parents and caregivers. Schools and Educators Teachers and school staff benefit from improved classroom environments. When students are nourished, there are noticeable improvements in concentration, behaviour, and participation, allowing educators to focus more on teaching. The Community In the long term, the entire Surrey community benefits. Supporting children’s health and education contributes to better outcomes, stronger connections, and a more equitable community overall. By addressing a basic need, the program creates ripple effects that extend far beyond the classroom."

WE SERVE THESE POPULATIONS:

Children & Youth, Indigenous Communities, Newcomers, LGBTQ2S+, Persons with disabilities or special needs

WE ADDRESS THESE ISSUES:

Health & Wellness, Living Standards

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Contact Information:

Angela Stara

sffa@iaff1271.org

CRA Registration Number

769678475 RR 0001

+1 604-574-5785

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Surrey Fire Fighters' Nutritional Snack Program Society

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