The most basic of needs, nutrition, is being filled for the dozens of Vernon kids who too often go home hungry at the end of the school week.
The Starfish Pack Program ensures that children in low-income families have healthy and nutritious food to fill them up over the weekend. These students are sent home with special backpacks every Friday. In fact, the program feeds 84 kids in eight schools locally.
See: Starfish program celebrates provincial milestone
But it is the support of businesses and individuals which makes the program possible.
Staff at Great West Equipment recently made a major contribution of $5,775, thanks to funds raised at their Christmas party.
“We support the Starfish Program as we want to support the community in areas that to us make a meaningful impact,” said Rob Rintoul, Chief Financial Officer for Great West Equipment. “Youth is often our focus as there is great potential in every child. Giving them an opportunity to succeed with healthy food is something we felt fit our support objectives and is a great program we hope takes hold in many other communities.”
Thanks to the staff contributions, the funds will go a long way toward curbing hunger in the community.
“Ten kids will not have to worry about food throughout the year,” said Jennifer Cramer Lewis, with the Starfish Pack Program.
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