'Starfish' backpacks help children left hungry, dreading weekends

The glory of the weekendfree time, plans with friends, hopefully some sunshine.

However, some chidrenin Vernon were approaching each weekend with apprehension and dread because they were going hungry, for days, without the school-provided lunches of the weekday.

I see it all the timeand it's heartbreaking and it's wrong- Dr. Carmen Larsen

Local doctor Carmen Larsen, along with the Kalamalka Rotary she's a part of, decided to do something about it.

"It's hard to believe but we really are talking about children who have no food at home," she said.

"I see it among my children's friends.I see it in front of me in my office.I see it all the timeand it's heartbreaking and it's wrong."

She approached the Vernon School Districtlast December about the Starfish Packs meal program.

The pilot program sees kids leave school on Friday with a small black backpack,with a simple logo of a smiling golden starfish.

The backpacks have two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners, including an apple, orange and banana.

Inspiring response

MaryTakasakais the principal of Alexis Park Elementary School.

She says thebenefitsto kids and their families is inspiring.

"One lady said it's an absolute miracle. 'It's beenalifesaver in my family.When we openthat backpackthey eat absolutely everything.'They love it," she said.

The program began in Vernon as a three-month pilot, butit's been so successfulit will be offered to kids throughout the school year starting in September.

Each backpack costs just over $500 a year.

Alexis Park supplies 20 packs right now.

Local businesses donate all the food andKalamalkaRotary volunteers pack each bag.

The Starfish Packs meal program originally began three years ago in Abbotsford, and continues to grow.

The program is now in in 36 schools in seven cities, feeding approximately 460 kids.

Dr. Larsen says every business shecontacted for help said yes without hesitation.

"This has been the easiest thing I've ever organized because it makes sense, it's local and it's helping right now."