"The food means that none of our kids have to go hungry, and that has had a huge impact on their behaviour and their ability to learn."
The raincoats mean the kids stay dry when its raining, so they're less likely to get sick in winter. The tissues, plasters and head lice treatment also help them stay healthy.
Miss Roberts said the sad reality was that children often turned up to school hungry; or they had no lunch, or not enough lunch.
"KidsCan's help means that whatever the reason for the kids not having food, they don't have to go without.
"And there's no stigma around it - everyone gets the food, everyone gets a raincoat."
However, Miss Roberts said if a child was regularly turning up to school without food, the school would contact the family to find out what the problem was.
"Sometimes families need a bit of extra support, and we can help them access that," Miss Roberts said.
She said before KidsCan started providing assistance to the school, it often fell to the staff to provide food for hungry children.
"The kids really love the food, and fortunately it isn't high in sugar - I was a bit worried about that at first."
KidsCan provides support to 58 per cent of decile 1-4 schools in New Zealand, making a total of 600 schools.
In Whanganui, KidsCan provides help to 15 schools: Aranui, Castlecliff, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Tupoho, Te Kura o Kokohuia, Tawhero, Rutherford Junior High, Gonville, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Atihaunui a Paparangi, Keith St, Whanganui Girls College, Upokongaro, Churton, Aberfeldy and Mangamahu.
Whangaehu School, Okoia School, Ruapehu College and Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Ngati Rangi are on the waiting list for KidsCan.