Blessings In A Backpack

Arab First United Methodist Church provides children food with

Blessings in a Backpack!

Many children receive their main nutritious meals at school. With Blessings in a Backpack, we will providefood for local children on weekends who receive free or reduced school lunches.

Our church has taken on the task of feeding children at Arab Elementary School. Another local church is taking on Arab Primary School. Approximately 30% of children at both schools are now on the free or reduced lunch program (majority qualify for free), an increase from approximately 17% just five years ago.

We began our program when school started in the fall of 2011. Every Friday, the school receives from us sacks containing meals, snacks, and juice for each child who participates. These meals and snacks will be lightweight, nutritious, and require little to no preparation.

In this ministry there is an opportunity for everyone in the life of our church to participate! We are fundraising throughout the year- even the Youth and Children have exciting fundraisers planned! Families and individuals have the opportunity to sponsor a child (or children), and will therefore feed that child for the entire year. Volunteers of all ages pack the sacks for the children before sending the food sacks to the school.

To feed one child every weekend for the entire school year costs only $80! Absolutely 100% of donations goes to feeding the children, and are tax-deductible. We feel confident that our church can reach out to these children with Christ’s love, and that no child will be going without food on the weekends. As Jesus taught his disciples in Matthew 25, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” For more information on this ministry, please visit http://www.blessingsinabackpack.org/ . You can also email Laura Liebner at latraylor@crimson.ua.edu, Dawn Liebner at youtharab@otelco.net, call the Youth House at (256) 931-2094 or the church office at 256-586-5792.