A program to ensure that disadvantaged youth do not go hungry on weekends, when there is no school-day food program operating, has become a success in Aldergrove in the past two and a half years.
Aldergrove Rotary Club members funded a pilot Starfish Backpack program at first, feeding 10 students in Aldergrove. Today there are 50 students who receive the packs every Friday to take home.
Moreover the $525 annual cost of each pack is fully funded to the end of this school year and Rotary have already raised funds for next year’s program.
A reception was held last Tuesday to recognize and thank the many individual and corporate supporters and donors who make the program work. One of these supporters, Sts. Joachim and Anne Catholic Church, brought along a $600 donation to the costs of next year’s program.
The Starfish program started with the Abbotsford Rotary and has since grown to numerous communities throughout the province. One of the latest is Langley’s Sunrise Rotary, which is entering its second year and currently provides 30 backpacks each week to three schools in Langley. With the support of the United Churches of Langley, Rotarian Tom Louie said they hope to expand it to more inner city schools in Langley.
For information see website: www.starfishaldergrove.ca
Langley’s Sunrise Rotary club member Tom Louie and Ken and Elaine Chatwin of the United Churches of Langley have organized the newest Starfish Backpack program, serving Langley’s inner city schools.
