Need a reality check when it comes to what some parents in Niagara are going through?
Some parents slept in their cars in the parking lot of Community Care's office on North Street in St.Catharines last night and then lined up at 6:30am to get their kids a brand new pair of shoes for the start of the school year.
Today's Canadian Tire Jumpstart Snacks n’ Sneakers program will hand out a free pair of sneakers, a backpack and snacks for school to over 1000 families in need.
Single mother, Kristin Hachkowski tells CKTB she has been attending Snacks n’ Sneakers Day for 10 years now.
She says she is very grateful for the help outfitting her children for school, and she says her children are very thankful.
CEO of Community Care St.Catharines and Thorold Betty-Lou Souter says it's nice that the sun is shining today as families wait in long line-ups.
She says they will make the day as lively as possible with a DJ showing up a bit later.
The average cost of sending a child back to school is around $300-400, and most schools require two pairs of shoes.
Canadian Tire Financial Services and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities donated more than 1,700 pairs of shoes.
The program also equips students with school supplies and healthy snacks before the first day of school.
Over the years, the program has helped thousands of children from kindergarten to grade 12.
This year, the program has grown to support five Community Partners: Community Care, St. Catharines & Thorold, The Hope Centre, Project SHARE, Community Care of West Niagara and Port Cares.