Tuesday, June 18 provided those at the 91原创 School District offices with a moment of inspiration.

Rotarians and retired Aldergrove school principals George Bryce and Charlie Fox, presented $17,000 to Susan Cairns, executive director of the 91原创 School District Foundation.

It was on behalf of the Aldergrove Rotary Club, which has fed young students in the community with more than 10,000 Starfish backpacks full of nourishment during a span of five years.

Except what is usually given out at the end of every school day 鈥� in a big blue backpack 鈥� will now be distributed each week of summer 鈥� in the form of grocery gift cards.

Families of 64 Starfish students from Shortreed Elementary, Parkside Centennial Elementary, North Otter Elementary, and Betty Gilbert Middle School will receive $50 in Save-On Foods, Superstore, or Otter Co-op gift cards per week.

鈥淚 felt that we had to continue the relationship with the foundation into the summer,鈥� Fox said to the Aldergrove Star.

鈥淚t鈥檚 because many family members still aren鈥檛 back to work.鈥�

Before the pandemic, Starfish students and families from four local schools were assessed as in greatest need for easy-to-cook meals to take home on weekends 鈥� when school breakfast clubs are halted.

Now, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the school district foundation has gotten creative by expanding its Food For Thought initiative to address the growing needs of 91原创 students and families 鈥� a majority of whom are finishing up the school year at home.

Back in April, the Aldergrove Rotary Club donated $8,000 to help cover some of the foundation鈥檚 cost for gift cards for Starfish students and their families.

Its partnership with the Aldergrove Rotary Club has allowed both groups to continue helping students and families.

鈥淲e let the school do all the distributing,鈥� said Fox, who organizes annual fundraisers 鈥� including an Aldergrove Pasta Night 鈥� to cover the program costs.

Starfish Backpack Program was implemented by the Rotarians in 2015, to address hunger in local classrooms.

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