Providing weekend meals to local area children
For more than six years, Grace Church has provided area school children with nutritional support for their weekend meals through a backpack of food to be taken home each week. During the 2023-2024 school year, we distributed food to 50 children through two local schools, Walter P. Carter Elementary and Tunbridge Public Charter School. This ministry remains one of the most impactful efforts of our congregation, ensuring that children have access to high-quality, nourishing food over each weekend of the school year.
The Elijah Backpack Food Ministry draws inspiration from the prophet Elijah’s encounter with a widow, from whom he asks for food. Despite her meager resources, the widow invites the prophet into her home and serves both he and her son with bread made from her last portions of flour and oil. In response to her generosity and sacrifice, Elijah blessed the woman and her child, assuring them that their supplies for flour and oil will never be depleted. (1 Kings 17:8-16)
This miracle of sharing and abundance is strengthened by Jesus’s notice of another widow, who places her two last coins into the temple offering box. By shining light on her generosity, Jesus reminds us that God values the generous heart of the giver more than the quantity of the gift. Throughout his ministry Jesus blesses persons who give freely, multiples meals into abundant feasts, and gives his life as nourishment for all. His actions guide our mission today. “Jesus also blessed those who gave generously and provided miraculous meals as a sign of God’s kingdom.”
The Elijah Backpack Food Ministry needs your support to fund another year of sending backpacks home to children living in food insecure households. All proceeds from this fundraiser (100%) support the direct costs of purchasing food and supplies. We aim to fill 50 food bags every week with the healthiest, most appealing food possible. This year’s goal is $22,500. Thank you for your generous support!
Your Backpack Ministry Team, Grace United Methodist Church
https://graceumc.betterworld.org/campaigns/elijah-backpack-food-mission-202