Photo: School District 22

In one single weekend, the provincial-wide Starfish Pack program feeds more than 1,200 students in need.

The Starfish Pack Program recently hit the 1,200 student milestone. 

The Vernon Starfish Pack alone currently delivers 93 backpacks to School District 22 elementary schools. These backpacks feed approximately 130 children in Vernon each week.

“We started a pilot program with 20 backpacks in April 2016,” said Carmen Larsen, of Kalamalka Rotary and Starfish Pack program director. “We had overwhelming support for the program from students, parents, and the community. With the continued support from individuals, businesses and organizations, we can continue to expand this program to meet the needs of many children who go hungry on weekends.”

The program began seven years ago with a single school in Abbotsford feeding six students in need. It has now grown to 18 B.C. communities serving 116 schools across the province.

“Starfish Pack is a practical way to tackle poverty that is affecting our next generation,” Larsen said. “We want to provide nutritious food to all children who need it, to make sure they are able to thrive in school, and in life."

"For only $525 we can feed a child for a full school year and give them a proper start to the rest of their life.”

The program has seen just a great response across the province that it's grown across borders into Washington State.

Starfish Packs provides two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners and snacks every Friday for students in need to take home with them on the weekends.

Provincially, about one in five children live in poverty and routinely go more than a full day without getting adequate calories for healthy living and growth.

To find out more about the Vernon Starfish Pack program, go online.