Backpack Ministry

Imagine having to Choose Between Bills, Utilities, Medicine, Food & the Unexpected

There are over 29,000 children below the age of 18 in Jefferson County who do not know where their next meal is coming from.

Middletown United Methodist Church began our Backpack Ministry in 2010 in response to the hunger crisis in our community. Through many Jefferson County Public School students qualify for free breakfast and lunch through federal programming, it is these students who risk going hungry on the weekends.

Through the Backpack Ministry, we provide nutritious, filling, and necessary food items to help fill hungry bellies and fuel growing minds. Our commitment allows us to directly affect the day to day well-being of the children in our very own backyard.

Our Recipient Schools

• Rangeland Elementary
• Price Elementary
• Phoenix School of Discovery
• Newburg Middle School

When children do not get enough to eat, their mental and physical health suffers.

• Difficulty learning
• Lower test scores
• Chronic under-achievement
• Poor reading skills
• Low attendance in school
• Repeating grades
• Poor behavior in school and social situations
• More sickness and health problems
• Developmental delays or impairments
• Low self-esteem

We have a responsilibity to our upcoming generations – to provide them every opportunity to be successful. It is through something as simple as providing a basic meal that will allow our children to fulfill their potential and become positive and productive citizens in our communities. You can help us end the cycle of hunger and change these facts.

“Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the One who sent me.” (Mark 9:37)

Our Backpack Ministry is entirely operated through the servant hearts of our volunteers. That means we can’t do this without you! Whether it is through your time, your gifts, or your prayers, it is your generosity that helps us transform lives on a daily basis.

Ways You Can Help

Pray
Pray every day for the children and their families who receive backpacks.

Giving
Prayerfully consider whether you might sponsor a child for a full school year, one month, or in any way God might lead your heart. Check or online payment is acceptable. All monetary gifts are tax-deductible.

Donations
Food items are greatly appreciated to help off set the cost of shopping. Peanut butter and Kool Aid Jammers are the greatest help to this ministry.

Volunteer
To be successful require many hands. Shopping, packing, delivering, and pick up are wonderful ways to be an active participant in a child’s success.

Kroger Rewards
Enroll your Kroger Rewards Card with MUMC! 4% of what you spend will be donated directly to the Backpack Ministry. Visit Kroger’s website or call the church for assistance enrolling your card. If you are already enrolled, there’s no need to re-enroll.

2019-2020 Food List

Our backpacks are packed with uniform sized items. We can only accept donations in sizes as listed below. All sizes are in ounces.

• Kool Aid Jammers
• Capri Sun Juice
• Mini Cereal Boxes
• Applesauce Cups (3.5 or 4)
• Cereal Bars
• Mac & Cheese Cups (2.39)
• Peanut Butter Crackers
• Cheese Crackers
• Fruit Cups (3.5)
• Pop Tarts
• Pork & Beans (15/can)
• Chef Boyardee (7.5)