Baker Newby law firm, celebrating its 80th anniversary, has announced the creation of a matching-grant program in support of the Abbotsford and Chilliwack Starfish Pack programs.
The program will match dollar for dollar all local donations received before the end of 2017, up to a maximum of $80,000.
This amount will allow the Starfish Pack program to add 300 additional children to the weekend food program for the entire 2017-2018 school year.
“Many of our 75 lawyers and staff have been passionate supporters of Starfish Packs and are personally committed to making a real difference in the lives of hungry kids in our communities,” said Tim Wurtz, Baker Newby administrator.
Starfish Packs are backpacks that are filled with food – two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners and snacks – and sent home every Friday with school children who otherwise face the possibility of going without food until they return to school on Monday morning.
The program was created in Abbotsford through a partnership between the Abbotsford Food Bank and the Abbotsford Rotary Club.
Chilliwack launched their own program a year later, and the program has expanded to 17 B.C. communities feeding more than 700 children.
Abbotsford Rotary Club president Sara Lawson said the announcement couldn’t have come at a better time.
Earlier this year, the club announced that its Rotary Million Dollar Hole in One golf event – which raises money for Starfish Packs – had to be cancelled due to winter storm damage at its host site, Fraser Glen Golf.
“Having Baker Newby step up with this amazingly generous gift means we won’t have to turn away hungry kids,” she said.
To support the program and have your gifts matched by Baker Newby, visit starfishpack.com/donate and click on Abbotsford or Chilliwack.