School is back in session, which means we are filling bags at Middletown UMC to go in backpacks at local schools. Currently, a total of 122 bags of food are going to 3 schools. This isn’t about school supplies, but food. There are almost 80,000 kids living in Jefferson County experiencing food insecurity. These are children who eat 2 meals at school, but face hunger over the weekend and school breaks.
Here is what MUMC is doing to help school children have food on the weekend:
- 9 Sunday School classes are scheduled to fill grocery bags each week school is in session.
- 12 volunteers rotate delivering the bags of food to the schools on Friday morning.
- Bags of food contain about 10 items. The exact items change, but always include 2 breakfast items, 2 lunch items, 2 dinner items, 2 snack items, and 2 drinks.
- Each month, the bags include peanut butter and jelly.
- Family Resource has identified students in need, allergies, and obtained permission for the student to receive a bag of food. They place the bags in the students backpacks to be taken home.
Where does all this food come from? YOU!
Here is how you can help with this ministry:
- Make a special donation to the Backpack Ministry and other missions.
- Donate 16 oz plastic jars of peanut butter & plastic squeeze bottles of jelly. Quick math, if our current numbers don’t change (we do get requests for additional if more need is identified) we will send out 1,098 of each of these items this school year.
- Donate kool-aid drink pouches. Over 7,000 will be sent out.
- Choose Middletown United Methodist Church as the non-profit on your Kroger card.
- Sponsor a child for $300 or donate a portion of the cost. When making a special donation, use “other” and type “Backpack Ministry” in the memo line.
- Pray for the students receiving the food. Hunger can affect the brain and overall health. This mission is giving your prayers feet.
- Pray for the households facing food insecurity.
- Pray for the volunteers as they give their time.
- Pray for safe travels for the delivery volunteers.
Thank you for your continued support,
The Backpack Ministry Team
Jennifer Gilcreast grew up in western PA near Pittsburgh. She graduated from Asbury University (piano performance) and Notre Dame (MM), playing the organ where she attended. She taught music in Jessamine and Bullitt counties, and teaches choir and music at Highlands Latin School. She has 4 children age 18-24. Hobbies include cookings, reading, and being in nature.
