backpacks for hunger

Backpacks For Hunger is a ministry started at FUMC for the kids at Bowie, Lamar, Wilson, Travis, Stuart Place and Crockett Elementary Schools and Coakley Middle School. This ministry runs throughout the school year, and discretely provides nutritious, child-friendly, easy-to-prepare food to at-risk children to take home over the weekend. Once a child is in the program he/she will receive a backpack full of food each Thursday or Friday to last throughout the weekend. The child then returns the backpack to school on Monday to be refilled for the next weekend.

ways to help

  • Donate food items weekly or monthly
  • Donate money to purchase food items (please designate "Backpacks For Hunger"
  • Volunteer to deliver and/or pick up backpacks
  • Pre-pack wet items in plastic bags
  • Volunteer to fill backpacks each week. Currently we meet at 9:30 am on Wednesdays in the Advent Room. 
  • Contact Jet Throckton at Jet@fumcharlingen.org or 956-245-0540

guidelines for food dontations

  • Food should be easily accessed by children.
  • No canned items except for easy-open ones
  • Nothing that requires an oven to prepare (microwave is ok).
  • Food should be non-persihable and with a long expiration date.
  • Individually packaged portions please.
  • No glass jars, homemade goods, or expired foods.

suggested items

  • Peanut butter (18oz)
  • Sunny D Juice (11.3oz)
  • Easy-to-open canned meats
  • Vegetables & fruits
  • Soups
  • Boxed meals (such as macaroni & cheese)
  • Granola bars
  • Fruit bars
  • Single-serving cereals
  • Raisins
  • Popcorn
  • Cheese crackers
  • Applesauce cups
  • Animal or Goldfish crackers
  • Fruit juices