Whatcom County Rotary Clubs’ donation to help feed local children during pandemic

Six local Rotary organizations have teamed up to donate over $10,000 towards feeding local children during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a news release.

The Bellingham, Bellingham Bay, Sunrise, Mt. Baker and North Whatcom Rotary Clubs combined to donate $5,050 while Rotary District 5050 donated $5,000 for a total of $10,050, according to the release. The money will be split between the Boys and Girls Club Healthy Meals Program, the Starfish Pack Program and the Bellingham Food Bank.

The donation will allow the Boys and Girls Club to distribute an additional 2,000 food packages a week for 10 weeks. The packages are given out twice a week to children between the ages of 3 and 18 with limited access to food at sites in Bellingham and Whatcom County.

The Starfish Pack Program, a northwest program started by a Rotary Club in Canada, gives students with limited access to food packs with two breakfast, two lunch and two dinner meals along with healthy snacks to get them through the weekend. This donation will help fund 820 packs for students. The program currently services seven schools in Whatcom County, distributing 178 packs.