TOGETHER
Vernon Proudly Supports


How the Starfish Pack Program Helps Feed Hungry Kids in Vernon
Approximately one in five children in BC live in poverty and often go more than a full day without eating a healthy meal. The Starfish Pack Program in Vernon is working to improve this statistic locally, one child at a time, and you can help.
“The Program has really helped our family make ends meet in real times of need. Our children felt really special being able to bring the backpack home and contribute to our food situation.” – Vernon Parent
The Kalamalka Rotary Club started the Starfish Pack Program in Vernon in 2016. Each pack provides enough food for two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners, fresh fruit and snacks for the weekend. The Club started with 20 packs and over the last few years, thanks to the generous donations from the community, now provides 93 Starfish backpacks to over 120 children.
“There are many reports that state starting the day with a healthy, well-balanced meal has a significant effect on academic success,” says Vernon School District Superintendent Joe Rogers. “The work done by the local Starfish group has been greatly appreciated by our staff, students, and families.”

Kalamalka Rotarian Dr. Carmen Larsen, Starfish Pack Program Director

Starfish Pack Program Partners and Supporters at the 1st year Celebration – April 2017
“Thanks to more recent donations, there will be 84 backpacks delivered to children at eight elementary schools in Vernon.”

Don Hanson and Maritza Reilly of Tolko. Each week Tolko employees help to pack the Starfish knapsacks.How You Can Help
How You Can Help
The Starfish Pack Program is named after the well-known Parable of the Starfish, which illustrates the importance of helping even just one life in need.
“I am a single mom of two and sometimes it is hard to make life work. The Starfish Packs have been relieving one of the biggest stresses in my life – food. Thank you so much for your generosity. We appreciate it a ton!” – Vernon Parent.
The program has the support of many from the Vernon and area community, but there are many more children in the area who need your help. You can also be part of helping a school student thrive!
At a cost of $575 per child for the school year, the program spends approximately $16.50 per week to provide six meals in each weekend backpack. Working with Save-On-Foods at Village Green Mall, which provides Starfish Pack with weekly groceries at a reduced cost, the Starfish Pack Program is maximizing every single donated dollar and working towards its goal to change the world, one child at a time.
“We are a family of five: 3 kids, 2 adults and are so humbled and grateful for your services. Sometimes the simplest things mean the most. Your thoughtfulness is a gift we will always treasure. Without this program my family would be lost.” – Vernon Parent

Typical knapsack of non-perishable food and fresh fruit. The menu is rotated on a five week basis.
How Does the Program Work
The Starfish Pack Program addresses food insecurity and hunger by providing a weekend backpack of easy to prepare meals for two breakfasts, two lunches, and two dinners, as well as, fresh fruit and snacks to local school children in need. The majority of the packs go to elementary school children. We are pleased to have expanded the program to address the needs of teens attending Open Door Education Centre in Vernon.
With the advice of School District 22, elementary schools are selected for participation in the program. The schools then identify students who would benefit from a Starfish backpack and arrange appropriate permissions from their families.
Every Friday after school, students who are part of the Program pick up their backpack at school and return the empty backpack the following week for refilling. There is normally sufficient food to provide nourishment for other family members as well.
Kalamalka Rotarians, Tolko employees, and other community volunteers help to fill the backpack with food provided by Save-On-Foods at the Salvation Army warehouse. The packs are then delivered by Okanagan Boys and Girls Club and others and picked up the following week by volunteers.

Volunteers packing the backpacks
Thank you for helping us change the world… one child at a time!
$575 feeds one child for one school year.
Donations can be dropped off or mailed:
Please make the cheque to Okanagan Boys and Girls Club, 3300 37 Avenue, Vernon V1T 2Y5. Specify Starfish Pack Program in the memo line.
ONLINE Donations: Please SELECT ‘Starfish Pack Program – Vernon’ from the dropdown list.
Contact Form
Please fill out the form for more information on how you can help feed hungry children in Vernon.
We are so thankful for
Partners
– Supporters –
– Friends –
$1 – $524
Monahan Agency
Custom Car Concept
Predator Ridge Ladies League
Sundance Pools
Vision Landscapes
Unique Garden and Gift
Vernon Restholme Residents
DWF Gallery
East Hill Physiotherapy
Baron Insurance
A & G Supply
– Builders –
$525 – $1049
– Believers –
$1050 – $5249
BX Elementary PAC
Insight Sales Consulting
– Champions –
$5250 +
Vernon Starfish Pack
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