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Help feed children in need in Deroche

Blessings in a Backpack is hosting a fundraiser Saturday at the Dewdney Pub
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Deroche school principal Sue McLeod shows off some of the backpacks sent home with food each weekend.

A fundraiser happening Saturday at the Dewdney Pub aims to continue sending food home in a backpack with children in need.

Blessings in a Backpack runs out of Deroche Elementary School, and one of the organizers, Lesa Lacey, says this registered charity started in the United States, and has been gaining ground in Canada. Deroche is the first school in the Fraser Valley to host the program, but the third in B.C.

"There is a great need in our community and those hit most hard are the children in our community," said Lacey. "There are families that struggle to put food on the tables and in lunch bags. [This] program complements the existing Breakfast Club at the school and the school also helps kids who may not have lunch or snacks."

At a low cost of $2.50 per child per weekend, every Friday the Deroche group of volunteers have been providing each participant a number of items including one package of Kraft dinner, granola bar, ramen noodles, oatmeal and fruit.

The Sasquatch Lions, Telus and local families have been able to help 29 out of 59 kids at the school, but they would like to expand the program to other schools. One hundred per cent of all monetary donations goes to purchase food, said Lacey.

The burger and brew at Dewdney (8793 S. River Rd.) starts at 6:30 p.m., and $15 gets you in the door. For more information call Lesa at 604-803-2494, or to donate, visit blessingsinabackpack.ca and search for Deroche school. There is a Facebook page set up for the charity, and for Saturday's event.