Starfish Pack
Kalamalka Rotary Club, the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club and Vernon School District 22 are asking for your support to help combat food insecurity and hunger right here in Vernon.
During the school year local elementary students receive backpacks filled with food for the weekend. The bags contain 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners, snacks and fresh fruit.
Lack of access to food affects children and family in many ways. Children have difficulty learning and concentrating at school if they are hungry. Children have more difficulty fighting disease and maintaining health without regular access to food.
Families will sometimes keep children home from school if they have no food. Unfortunately, the number of children who could benefit from this program in Vernon is staggering.
Some comments from families at a Vernon elementary school speak to the impact of this program:
“The backpack is amazing, a miracle, a lifesaver. I’m on disability and money is very tight, I’m flat broke.”
“Now my kids have fresh fruit.”
“The canned sandwich meats have saved our dinners.”
“It lowers the stress in the household.”
The cost of a backpack for the school year is $525. That is approximately $15 per week or $7.50/day to feed a child on Saturday and Sunday.
This program is local, practical and will help a child every weekend in Vernon.
To donate online please go to http://starfishpack.com/vernon/#donate
Click on the big yellow “PLEASE DONATE” box. You will be redirected to the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club. Select “Starfish Pack Program” from the dropdown list.
OR:
Send a cheque to: Vernon Boys and Girls Club, 3300-37th Avenue, Vernon, BC V1T 2Y5
All donations will receive a tax receipt from the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club.
If you would like more information, please email vernonstarfish@gmail.com.
Thank you for your support,
Carmen Larsen, MD, CCFP
Director of Community Service, Kalamalka Rotary Club