### Your kids' lunches just got a metal detector
Good morning from the Valley — the fields are talking, the rivers are moving, and we've got stories from five communities that matter. And out here in Abbotsford, we’ve got some news that warms the heart, especially for anyone who worries about kids getting enough to eat. We all know things are tight for a lot of families right now, and ensuring children have consistent meals is a real struggle for many.
This Saturday, down on McCallum Road, the Rotary Club of Abbotsford is holding a metal drive to support Starfish Packs. Now, you might be thinking, "What's a metal drive?" Well, it's pretty clever: they're asking folks to bring in their scrap metal – old washing machines, broken lawnmowers, even just a pile of tin cans. They sell that scrap, and every penny goes towards filling those Starfish Packs. These packs are critical; they're bags of food that get sent home with kids from local schools every weekend so they don't go hungry when they're not getting school meals. It’s a quiet, dignified way to help, and it makes a world of difference for families from Clearbrook to the Matsqui flats.
* **What is a Starfish Pack?** It's a backpack full of food given to kids for the weekend. * **Who benefits?** Elementary students in Abbotsford who might otherwise go hungry. * **How does the metal drive help?** Every bit of scrap metal collected is sold, and the funds buy food for these packs. * **Where is it happening?** Saturday, April 11th, at the Rotary Club property on McCallum Road.
It’s these community-led efforts that really show the heart of Abbotsford. It reminds me of the big blueberry harvests, where everyone pitches in. When you see your neighbours pulling together, whether it’s clearing ditches after a storm or making sure no child is left behind when it comes to food, it grounds you. This isn't just about charity; it's about making sure our youngest generation, the ones who will one day be working these fields and running our businesses, are healthy and ready to learn. It’s about building a stronger community, one meal at a time.
This is Harpreet Gill-Thiessen, with the Morning Wire, for the MiTL Sports Desk.
My cousin Jas and the gang really dig into these community stories on the morning show — you can catch it live at mornings.live.