Weekend food packs hit the hunger spot
Starfish Pack, a provincial program that feeds kids in need every weekend throughout the school year, recently celebrated a 1,200-student milestone this month.
The program has now reached 18 communities in B.C. and has even gone international with Whatcom County in Washington state participating.
Penticton’s Starfish program feeds approximately 100 students every weekend. Children receive two breakfasts, lunches and dinners as well as snacks to take home with them from school.
At a cost of $525 per child for the entire year, all donations remain in the community and 100 per cent of the funds are used for food for the students.
“Our backpacks have increased from 10 to 46, and one school to five schools in one year thanks to the overwhelming support from local businesses and community individuals,” Tracy Van Raes, chair of the Penticton Rotary’s Starfish Pack committee, said in a press release.
In B.C., approximately one in five children lives in poverty.
To help, the second annual Starfish Pack fundraiser will be held at the Barley Mill Pub on Nov. 22. Tickets are $25 each and include a roast beef dinner. All funds raised go directly to the program. Tickets can be purchased from a Rotary member or the Barley Mill. The Roland Allen Rock Trio will also be playing live.
For more information on the program, email tracy@totalrestore.ca