Kalamalka Starfish Society

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 Backpack Program is working to address food insecurity one child at a time. Food insecurity occurs when there is a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active healthy life. This insecurity is often due to financial constraints that families across Canada are facing. Greater Vernon area families also experience this insecurity. About a third of those who access food banks in Vernon are under the age of 18. The Starfish Pack Program provides a knapsack of food each week throughout the school year to school children who experience food insecurity. Each pack provides food for two breakfasts two lunches and two dinners and is supplemented by fresh fruit and vegetables along with snacks. Currently the organization serves over 200 packs to 15 schools in the Greater Vernon area.