The Rotary Club of Chemainus has joined forces with other Rotary clubs in the Cowichan Valley and Cowichan Valley School District 79 to help feed children in need.
The Starfish Pack program started in Abbotsford after teachers found their students were coming to class on Monday mornings hungry and unable to concentrate or learn to their full potential. The program was created so students in need were sent home with a bag filled with enough healthy meals and snacks to get them through the weekend.
About 180 kids come to school hungry on Monday mornings in the Cowichan district. Currently, local students are provided with breakfast, recess snacks and lunch each day at school thanks to Nourish Cowichan, a charitable organization that is also part of the Starfish project.
Unfortunately, the children’s need to access food does not end when the weekend arrives, so the Starfish Pack Program was created in response to that need. Starfish is a volunteer-driven program, with all funds raised going towards buying food for local hungry children.
A donation of $525 fills one food pack for one student for the entire school year. The program is currently feeding 65 students and the hope is to raise enough funds to eventually feed all children in need.
Starfish is pleased to accept all levels of donations. Many smaller donations add up to a nourished student during the school year.
The Rotary Club of Chemainus has put its belief in Starfish as a great project.
