Healthy snacks are fighting hunger and fueling summer fun at the Boys & Girls Club of Burlington.

Posted: 08-17-11

Healthy snacks are fighting hunger and fueling summer fun at the Boys & Girls Club of Burlington.

"We play in the pool, we do the computer room and art," said Myiah, a member.

"We do gym, we go swimming, we go on field trips," said Ryan, a member.

This summer General Electric kicked off an effort to bring more than 3,000 healthy snacks to city kids when school is out. Ryan, 9, is one of dozens of youngsters trading in junk food for a better alternative.

"The veggie sticks are really good. I had not tried veggie sticks until about three weeks ago and turns out they taste pretty good," he said.

The new initiative is filling a gap for more than 75 kids who often depend on the school cafeteria to get many of the nutrients they need.

"It keeps you fueled and you stay healthy, and if you eat like Cheetos, it does not give you the calories to do stuff," Ryan said.

Every day the snack packs are a little different; Wednesday the kids were treated to all kinds of things like apples, veggie sticks, water and pudding.

"You can feel the excitement of the employees in the morning as they are making the snack packs as they are putting in their creativity," said Mike Williams of GE Healthcare.

Williams and dozens of GE volunteers pack 450 of these bags every week with quality food and a little bit of fun.

"We always put in some little treats that always turn out to be the surprises that the boys and girls at the Boys and Girls Club look for when we deliver it," he said.

At more than $3,500 a month, Williams says the effort is paying off.

"The ultimate measure of success is that the kids are eating and getting the nutrition that they need," he said.

And volunteers are getting simple gifts in return.

"Thank you for giving us an awesome snack," Myiah said.

Each snack costs about $2. GE has not decided if or how it will continue the snack program once school starts.

Keith McGilvery - WCAX News