Starfish Backpack Program

Addressing Food Insecurity

About the Program

Kalamalka Rotary began the Starfish Backpack Program in 2016 to address food insecurity in the greater Vernon area. The Program provides a weekend backpack of non-perishable, easy to prepare meals for two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners, along with fresh fruit and snacks. With the support of program sponsors, Partners and Supporters, we now serve over 100 backpacks to 11 schools.

The Starfish programs affect on our community:

"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.

"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

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Application Forms

How Does the Program Work

With the advice of School District 22, elementary schools are selected for participation in the program. The schools identify students who would benefit from a Starfish backpack and arrange appropriate permissions from their families.

Every week, 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 at the Salvation Army warehouse with food provided at a reduced cost by Save-On-Foods.

At a cost of $ 600 per child for the school year, the program spends about $17 per week to provide six meals in each weekend backpack.

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.

There are many more school children in the Vernon area who need your help. Help them thrive!

You can support this worthy program by donating through the Community Foundation of North Okanagan. It’s an easy online donation and donations will receive a tax receipt.

The website is: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/18541/donation

From the main page, select “Starfish Pack Program” from the pull down menu.

For more information visit: Starfish Backpack Page for Vernon