“For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat.” – Matthew 25:35a
“None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful.” – Mother Teresa
While the biggest stressor for most school-aged children might be homework, household chores, or who won the soccer game, for many others, getting a full, healthy meal is a greater concern. Our Weekend Backpack Ministry is making a difference in the lives of 35 children and families at Ginter Park Elementary School by providing healthy (and fun) food for families each weekend during the 2018-2019 school year.
In order for this ministry to not only survive but thrive this year and beyond, we need two things from people: time and money. And we need it not from one or two of you; we need it from all of you!
During the month of September, our special missions offering will benefit our Weekend Backpack Ministry. The cost is $650 per child per year. The Missions Offering will be collected alongside our regular weekly offering during the Offertory each Sunday. You may also make a designated contribution online or send a check to the church office.
But just as important as the money to fund the ministry are the volunteers needed to operate the ministry. Your offering to the Weekend Backpack Ministry might be your time.
While those who attend worship on Sunday will be invited to help pack a bag each week following worship, we need volunteers to sign up to purchase the food on the weekly shopping list with the church credit card and deliver it to BTSR before Sunday morning. We need volunteers to deliver the packed bags to the school on Wednesday or Thursday each week. We need folks to break down the empty boxes generated each Sunday and take them home to be recycled. And we need monthly coordinators who make sure the other jobs are covered for that month and recruit or step in as needed.
There will be a clipboard on Sunday mornings where you can sign-up, or you may sign-up online.
Please consider giving generously of both your time and your finances.