Pack-A-Sack 4 Kids

Walsingham Elementary School and its partner, Oakhurst United Methodist Church, have their Pack-A-Sack 4 Kids program up and running. "We've moved out of the pilot phase and into the full-blown program," says volunteer program director Lewis Hill. On October 27, the Pinellas County School Board approved the district-wide agreement with UMCM to provide food to children who are identified as suffering from food insecurity. Last year, 41 low-income children from Belleair Elementary school received healthy snacks on weekends and holidays from their partner church, First UMC of Clearwater.
The great thing about the Pack-A-Sack 4 Kids program is that each church or organization that partners with a school can develop the process that best fits their own circumstances and resources. Collections can be taken, families can adopt a child, or food can be donated. Bags can be packed by a volunteer committee, a Sunday School class, or families.
However the project is done, it benefits the kids immensely. Hill points out, "No one would argue that having an empty stomach and trying to learn in school are not compatible. Weekends are tough on growing kids when nutritious meals are scarce." If your church or group is interested in learning more about this program, please contact Lewis Hill at 595-0635 or e-mail at hill0635@aol.com.