Northview will be participating in the Elijah’s Backpack ministry again this year. There will be 50 children served in this ministry.
Needed Food Items in Individual Serving Sizes :
| V-8 Juice or 100% Orange Juice | Tuna Kits |
| Peanut Butter (small jars) | Chicken or Vegetable Soup |
| Fruit Cups / Canned Fruit | Canned Vegetables |
| Goldfish | Oatmeal (Box with Individual Packages) |
| Macaroni and Cheese Singles | Crackers |
| Apple Sauce | Spaghettios or Ravioli |
| Canned Chili | Pudding |
All cans should be pop-tops.
What is Elijah’s Backpack?
Many families struggle to eat healthy meals and snacks every day. Elijah’s Backpack, a free community ministry sponsored by St. Philip Lutheran Church in Roanoke, Virginia, helps families eat more healthy meals and snacks through their local elementary school.
Each Friday afternoon elementary school children receive a pack of healthy food and snacks in their backpacks. Elijah’s Backpack may include the following items: cereal, breakfast bars, oatmeal, juice, tuna kits, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter crackers, soup, apple sauce, fruit cups, ravioli, vegetables, milk, and other nutritious food.
Elijah’s Backpack works with families at Mountain View Elementary and Burlington Elementary, in Roanoke County. The school principal and guidance counselor select participants based upon need. Program participation is kept confidential. A parent or guardian must return a signed permission form for their child to participate. This form is available from their elementary school counselor.
The prophet Elijah was sent by God to visit Zarephath, where he met a widow and her son. When he arrived, Elijah was quite hungry and asked for food. The widow had so little food for herself and her son that she feared they would die of hunger, yet she shared her own bread with Elijah. God responded by providing more than enough for the three to eat together. (1 Kings 17:8-16) God calls us to serve all who hunger (Matthew 25:35-40; James 2:15-16). The story of Elijah reminds us that those who are hungry are also our sisters and brothers, gifted by God and very often sharing what they have with others in need.
Backpacks of nutritious food will be sent home with each of the 50 children for weekends during the school year. We will be asked to participate by providing specific items for any given month. Items may be placed in the Backpack tote in the Narthex.
This ministry is touching the lives of children in our area who do not always have enough food. Please help.
Financial donations are accepted also. Thank you for your kindness.
For additional information, please contact Paula Lesko at (540) 966-4031
