Snackpac: How it started, what it is, and why we’re doing it!
A church in Portland, Oregon, realized that many of its local children lived in poverty and felt the subsequent pangs of hunger. Upon seeing this need, the Freemont United Methodist Church created the Weekend Snackpac Project, a program designed to send needy kids home each Friday with a lunch sack full of nutritious food. After visiting that church, Jan Unzicker of Roanoke brought the Snackpac idea to central Illinois where her church, Metamora Mennonite, now distributes lunch sacks to free- and reduced-lunch participants at Lowpoint-Washburn Elementary.
Jan’s mission to spread this much-needed ministry has led to our own Eureka Christian Church adopting Eureka Davenport’s neediest citizens. Each week, we provide a weekend lunch for 30+ students, and the number is growing. We are currently working on extending the Snackpac program to Goodfield Grade School, where the need is great.
The support of our congregation, both financial and hands-on, has made our local project possible. However, the need is on-going. Below are ways that each member of our church can help:
1. Send a check. Any monies you donate go straight to the purchase of food for the Snackpacs. The word “Snackpac” on your check’s memo line ensures that the money goes where intended. Checks may be put in the Sunday offering plate or mailed to Eureka Christian Church, 302 S. Main, Eureka, IL 61530.
2. Assemble lunches. Right now, we are assembling sack lunches at our church (Room 14) at 3:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
3. Volunteer to deliver the tubs of sacks to Davenport Elementary (and soon, Goodfield).
4. Use your computer skills and cartridges. Small card-stock cards are inserted into each sack we fill, so the more hands willing to print these, the less expense incurred by any one person.
5. Donate food. Different foods are needed each week, so any of the following will be used within a three-week span. Please always check expiration dates to ensure fresh food. Food needed: Mac and cheese or soup or pasta microwave cups; cheese or peanut butter cracker packets; juice boxes – Minute Maid or Apple & Eve or Juicy Juice (please don’t purchase punch, and avoid aluminum containers); applesauce or mixed fruit individual cups.
Please prayerfully consider how you might help support this necessary ministry to kids in District 140. Call the church (309.467.2369) or Jami Hemmenway (309.467.4848) with questions.