In 2014, GPBC began its partnership with the MICAH Initiative and Frances w. McClenney Elementary School (formerly Ginter Park Elementary School). The mission of the Ginter Park Baptist Church Weekend Backpack Ministry is to feed local children so they may learn, grow, and make good decisions. We provide students with backpacks of nutritious food over the weekends and holidays when free and reduced-price breaks and lunches are not available. We quietly encourage the school staff and offer the support of the community as they teach and counsel. As a ministry, we, the Church, want to be God’s hands and feet to build our community. Through the Weekend Backpack Ministry, we have the opportunity to give. Through our giving, we are living out our faith.
Our first year, we provided backpacks of food for 3 students for the school year. Our second year, the ministry grew so that we provided 15 students and our third year we doubled the number to 30 backpacks of food for the school year. For the 2022-2023 school year, we supported 36 students with backpacks and hope to continue that number for 2023-2024!
Volunteers from the church shop for supplies and keep our shelves stocked. Church members of all ages pack the food each Wednesday evening. Another volunteer delivers the bags of food to the school each week.
You can support this ministry by volunteering time and by donating funds or brown paper grocery bags toward sustaining and growing this project. Contact the church office for more information.
