St. James UMW Young Women’s Circle Invites YOU to Help with
BACKPACK PALS
What is Backpack Pals?
Backpack Pals is a nationally recognized program designed to
meet the needs of hungry children, identified by school staff, who have little to eat
over the weekend. Backpack Pals programs have been shown to have a positive impact
on student’s behavior, attendance, and academic achievement, as well as alleviating
hunger. Pitt County has just begun Backpack Pals through the Communities in
Schools organization this year, and our Young Women’s Circle Group has chosen to
adopt Wahl Coates Elementary School. We have begun with 25 backpacks, but hope
with the church’s continued support, that we will be able to increase this number.
How does it work? Backpacks containing nutritious individual serving size breakfast and
lunch items are sent home with the child on Fridays and returned on Mondays to the
school. Volunteers refill the empty backpacks and return them to the school before
Friday. The backpacks are free of logos to protect the dignity and anonymity of the
child.
How can you help?
In order for our Backpack Pals program to be successful, we need the
support of our entire church. We need to stock our new food pantry, and we will have
a continued need each week to be able to fill the 25 backpacks with a weekend’s worth
of food. We need your prayers as well as food and monetary donations. Monetary
donations can be made by writing a check made out to St. James UMC, with Backpack
Pals in the memo line.
Food Items Needed Include :
Large size Juice Boxes
Protein (Ravioli, Spaghetti-Os, Beanie-Weanies, Vienna Sausages, etc.)
Jell-O or Jell-O Pudding
Cereal or Pop Tarts
Snacks such as Crackers, Goldfish, Raisins, Granola Bars, etc.
(Bags are filled with 2 of each item, Items can be placed in collection boxes around
the church)
You will find boxes labeled "BackPack Pals" around the church for your donations.
Thank you for your support!
For more information about BackPack Pals, click here:
http://feedingamerica.org/our-network/network-programs/backpack-program.aspx
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