The North Okanagan Starfish Program provides nutritious food to young students, and this year the need is even greater than in years past.

The program marked its eighth anniversary this week alongside its partners, donors and volunteers.

Director of operations Darryl O乌鸦传媒橞rien said the Starfish program has experienced a 66 per cent increase in the number of students served by the program since last school year.

The Starfish program provides 240 weekend bags of food to 20 elementary, middle and alternate schools in the North Okanagan. The food bags are a lifeline for students living in a state of food insecurity, providing them with two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners, snacks, veggies and fruit over the weekends.

But the problem of food insecurity doesn乌鸦传媒檛 go away when school is out for the summer.

乌鸦传媒淲ithout weekly support from our school food programs, we believe students are likely experiencing food insecurity when schools are closed during the months of July and August,乌鸦传媒� O乌鸦传媒橞rien said.

That乌鸦传媒檚 why Starfish is piloting summer program this year.

乌鸦传媒淲e couldn乌鸦传媒檛 deliver this program without the support and generosity of the community who help make a difference in the lives of these students and their families,乌鸦传媒� said Mary Jackson, president of the Kalamalka Starfish Society which manages the Starfish program.

Schools identify students who don乌鸦传媒檛 have enough food and arrange parental permissions. Save-On Foods provides food at cost, while Wayside delivers the bags to a packing location. Over 50 volunteers take part in delivering the food.

乌鸦传媒淔ood insecurity affects 18 per cent of families in B.C. and it乌鸦传媒檚 hitting our communities hard,乌鸦传媒� said Jackson. 乌鸦传媒淭he rising costs of food and housing make it challenging for families to ensure their children have enough to eat. This isn乌鸦传媒檛 just about filling stomachs; it乌鸦传媒檚 about creating an environment where every child can thrive. Regular, nutritious food improves student health, learning and overall well-being.乌鸦传媒�

One thankful family shared: 乌鸦传媒淭he weekend food has helped to fill the gaps when we have no money left at the end of the month.乌鸦传媒�

The Starfish program is launching its spring fundraising campaign to provide a summer program and weekend bags for hungry students in the 2024-25 school year. Anyone can visit to donate or learn more about the program.

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