North Delta Proudly Feeds
Food Insecurity on the Rise: Rotary Club of North Delta Witnesses 61% Increase in Demand for Starfish Pack Program
On February 15, 2024, the Rotary Club of North Delta distributed 247 Starfish hampers, marking a noteworthy increase of 94 packs since June 2023. This surge reflects the growing food insecurity within our community and serves as a concerning indicator of the challenges faced by families in need. Given this alarming trend, further growth is anticipated in the coming months.
To put this in perspective, the financial implications of supporting this increased demand are substantial. The ballpark figure for food purchases is staggering. With 247 Starfish packs at an estimated cost of $650 per pack, the Rotary Club will spend approximately $160,500.
The Starfish Pack program, supported by the Rotary Club, currently benefits 13 Elementary Schools with families in need across the region, from Annieville to Sunshine Hills, by providing them with nutritional food for the weekends. These hampers offer a critical lifeline, covering nearly 30% of the weekly food budget for each household.
In addition to our efforts, the Delta School District has played a crucial role in alleviating food insecurity. North Delta received $36,000 in grocery certificates to ensure families have support during the Christmas, Spring, and Summer breaks. We owe special thanks to Doug Sheppard, Delta School Board Superintendent, for his dedication and support in this initiative.
Our numbers align with the experiences of other Starfish programs in the region. Abbotsford, with 718 packs distributed at 42 schools, amounts to an astonishing 3.5 tonnes of food every week. Across British Columbia, there are approximately 25 Starfish programs, including one in Washington state, demonstrating the widespread need for such initiatives.
Comparing our program’s scale to others in the region, we find the following figures:
- Whatcom County – 850
- Kelowna – 340
- Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows – 302
- Chilliwack – 275
- Vernon – 200
- Kamloops – 190
The Rotary Club of North Delta remains dedicated to addressing food insecurity within our community. As the demand for our Starfish Pack program continues to rise, we call upon the community to join us in this important endeavour to support our neighbours in need.
Would you like to PARTNER with us?
We rely on donations and sponsorships to fill these backpacks and the more donations and sponsorships we have, the more children we can feed.
To find out how you might bring the hope of a Starfish Pack to those in need, please contact The Rotary Club of North Delta at ndrotaryclub@gmail.com .
The cost of filling one backpack for one child every weekend throughout the school year is close to $650.
In March 2022, we switched to a simpler environmentally friendly reusable bag, pictured to the right.
Donation Options:
Online: Please click our button to the left and select “Starfish Program” to donate online
Cheque: Please mail to PO Box 300, 7101C 120th Street, Delta BC, V4E 2A9
E-transfer: Please send to ndrotaryclub@gmail.com, including your name and physical address, plus your email address in the E-transfer memo field.
Tax receipts will be issued.
“At Deltassist, we strongly believe that food security is an important issue in our community. We are heavily involved with the Delta Food Coalition and have launched a bread gleaning program. The Starfish Backpack Program aligns with our aim to ensure that the entire community has equal access to healthy and nutritious food. We are thrilled to partner with the North Delta Rotary to ensure that children in need in our community are well fed, healthy and happy.” Julie A Chadwick, M.Sc., R.C.C, Executive Director
We are so thankful for our
Major Donors
North Delta In the News
North Delta Starfish distributes over $43k worth of food
The Rotary Club of North Delta and its foundation donated $43,558 to community groups and to student bursaries during the […]
Read More ›
DCF raises money for Delta Starfish locations through "Kindness Meters"
Small acts of kindness by Delta residents are adding up to help local children facing food insecurity at home. The […]
Read More ›
Students Fundraise for North Delta Starfish
Gray Elementary students, Kiera Hattrick and Brooklyn Brandon, raise money for North Delta Starfish Pack. Read Article Here
Read More ›