Our Backpack Program began in 2008. At that time, we served one school in Flat Rock with 14 children in need. We now serve four schools and one daycare center and 125 - 175 children weekly as a supplemental food source to combat weekend hunger. We make sure that on the weekend each child has food for three dinners, two lunches, two breakfasts and two snacks on a regular two-day weekend. On long we
ekends and vacations we add more. Each year we provide close to 3,000 bags of food. Each week during the school year, volunteers gather at Hubba Hubba Smokehouse on Friday mornings to pack between 100-125 grocery bags of food; nourishment for area nursery and school age children identified as those in need of weekend food. Food includes oatmeal, tinned meat, rice, pasta, beans, vegetables and fruit. To do this, volunteers buy food and supplies (with supplemental food from MANNA FoodBank), organize packing, pack, and then deliver bags to the schools where the administration slips the bags into backpacks for discreet delivery home (when there is a home). Annually, the group buys for, and packs approximately 6,000 backpacks which cost about 22 thousand dollars. Neighbors from throughout the community donate their time while Saint John in the Wilderness acts as the ‘home’ base providing technical and administrative assistance (including 501c3 status). To meet our budget, we rely on corporate and individual donations, and our local pottery artists, pivotal partners, who generously donate their time and talents for this annual fundraiser. Empty Bowls was started over 25 years ago in Michigan as a high school service project. The goal is to address hunger needs in local communities. The event concept is a simple one. The community is invited to a meal of soup, bread and dessert (donated by local businesses and organizations). As part of the admission fee, the ticket holders choose a handmade bowl (crafted/donated by local artists) to take home as a thank you gift. The bowl serves as a reminder that, as long as children in our community go hungry, we will help. A video of the mission was produced by volunteers to show how the program works. Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/AYKbzLHI_zM The video is also available by visiting YouTube – St. John in the Wilderness, Flat Rock NC
additional information:
When possible we use our funds to purchase additional food to fill backpacks. We are able to provide this food thanks to private donations, the Outreach Committee of St. John in the Wilderness, the ECW from the parish, contributions from the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, grants such as Human Hurt and Hope Fund from the Diocese. With careful shopping we spend approximately $4.25 per child. We can do this and maintain the quality and quantity of the food because of the Diocese Human Hurt and Hope Fund and we are extremely grateful for their participation. We are so fortunate to have active parishioners from St. John in the Wilderness and also active participants from outside our church who volunteer their time to shop, pack and deliver foods. Area businesses and individuals also provide in-kind aid through use of their facilities, the donation of supporting goods like backpacks as well as administrative duties.
