“The Starfish backpack program has helped my family through the tough times and always ensured our children have a variety of healthy food choices to enjoy, at times when we otherwise may have not be able to provide them with this ourselves. We appreciate this program so much and thank the program coordinators, volunteers, donors and everyone involved in making it happen so much for your time, caring and generosity! You guys are the best people! Thank you!!"

"One family used the back pack program for a year and it helped the mother after suddenly getting separated and having 4 children and not working she managed to get back on her feet with the help of the back pack program, it lessened her burden while she looked for a job and had money to get school supplies and clothing for her children. Families are very appreciative of the program and look forward to the backpack."

“I asked a student of mine about the Starfish Pack program and this is what he told me. ‘The backpack really helps us, because we don't have a lot of food at home, or a lot of money to get food. It helps to make things better for us at home.’ This program reaches out to those in need and this cause has a real soft spot in my heart. It’s painful to see kids go hungry and to know they are going home to very little. You have no idea the difference Starfish Packs makes during the day for our students. ”

"My girls are so happy when they get home on Friday to open up their backpack to see what they get for the weekend. If it wasn't for the backpack program, I don't know where we would be."

Three of our students suddenly “took off” last year as readers. All three were in Grade 3, two of the three were in the Starfish backpack program and all three received other interventions. What the three had in common was a lack of social and emotional capital to learn. They had low self-esteem, their home situations were uncertain at best and chaotic and even toxic at times, at the worst. Food security was one of the pieces for two of these kids that made a difference. They went from total non-readers in November last year to being almost caught up with their grade 3 peers in June. Remarkable. There were many reasons for their learning to read; we don’t know how much of an impact having food on a weekend made, both from a nutrition point of view and from an anxiety aspect. These boys went home on Fridays as providers, and that made a difference in how they perceived themselves. Thank you.

One of our school’s recipient’s of Rotary’s Starfish Pack Program is a grade 2 girl who lives with her widowed mother. The young girl’s mother has gone without many of the basics that most of us take for granted. Previously she would do without for herself to be sure that her daughter had snacks and foods every day. She gives her daughter the very best she can and we are glad to be able to offer her an economic and emotional ‘boost’ through Rotary’s Starfish Pack Program this year.

Until you have lived through the experience of the changes, you can’t truly understand the magnitude of the positive impact that children having food on a regular basis has on their lives. Imagine how this can positively impact their future and ability to live up to their true potential.

"Being a low-income house, we greatly appreciate the bags you send home. It may be meant for one student only, but it makes a big difference for the 4 of us. Thank you for this wonderful program."