Saturday Sacks

For years I have really longed to do some sort of charity or volunteer work. I have said many times over the years that I wanted to get involved in something, but I didn't really know what that something was. I've had this desire but really didn't know what to do with it and so I just kept pushing it aside. And naturally life tends to get more chaotic and hectic as the years go by. It seems there aren't enough hours in the day to get the essential things completed - adding something more just seems insane.

However, last summer our church got a wonderful new preacher who has brought a vivacious energy and enthusiasm for giving back to our community. His wife is a teacher at one of our county's elementary schools and she has implemented an amazing project called Saturday Sacks. Our church has asked local schools to identify students whom teachers suspect might not have enough food to eat during the weekends. These are students who come to school on Mondays and eat not only their lunch, but the leftover lunches of the kids around them. They are not picky about what they eat, they just need to eat.

Each Thursday Emma Kate and I spend about an hour at our church helping organize and pack the sacks. We pack foods that don't have to be refigerated or cooked - soup, vienna sausages, crackers, applesause, granola bars, etc. Sacks are assembled into groups of 5 for easy counting and transporting. There are designated areas around the gym for each school and the number of sacks requested. Emma Kate understands that we do this to help other children who don't have enough food. This is not play time for her - if she wants to go then she knows she has to help. She looks forward to it each week and even if I can't make it (because Alan has to work late) then she goes with Grandie.

We began this mission at the beginning of the 08-09 school year. Initially our church was serving around 200 children in our community. In just a few short months the word has gotten out and we are now blessed to be feeding over 800 kids!! It is abundantly clear how God is working in this ministry.

I am thrilled to be a part of this effort in even the smallest way. I sincerely hope to expand our family's involvement in outreach. As the children get older it is my desire to show them the need to care for those around us, especially children.