From Micah's Backpack

The first five backpacks were delivered to Price’s Fork Elementary School on Friday, November 7.

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

- Micah 6:8

Micah’s Backpack will address children’s hunger issues by partnering with local schools to provide direct assistance to students and families who qualify for the free lunch program. Each week, the identified students will receive a backpack filled with enough food for the weekend. The backpacks will include two dinners, two lunches and two breakfasts. Volunteers will pack the backpacks and the partner schools will distribute the backpacks to the students.

Micah’s Backpack:
Healthy Meals for Healthy Families

Background
Many families struggle to eat healthy meals and snacks everyday. Micah’s Backpack, a free ministry started by St. Michael Lutheran Church in Blacksburg, Virginia helps families eat more healthy meals and snacks through their local elementary school.

How Micah’s Backpack Works
Each Friday afternoon elementary school children are given a backpack of healthy food and snacks. On Monday the child returns the empty backpack to their school nurse to be restocked with food for the following Friday.

Coming Soon - Sample Menu

Who Can Participate?
Micah’s Backpack began working with families at Price’s Fork Elementary School in November 2008, expanded to include families at Kipps Elementary School in January 2009 and began serving families at Gilbert Linkous Elementary School in April 2009. Low income families should contact their elementary school principal to find out if they qualify for the program. Program participation will be kept as confidential as possible. A parent or guardian must return a signed permission form for their child to participate. This form is available from their elementary school principal.

How Can I help?
Volunteers are needed to pack and deliver backpacks on a weekly basis. The following food items are needed in individual or microwaveable sizes.

You can provide food for one child for one weekend for $10 or provide food for one child for one school year for $400. Donations to support Micah’s Backpack can be made online through St. Michael Lutheran Church or mailed to: Micah’s Backpack at 2308 Merrimac Road, Blacksburg, VA 24060.

Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who supports Micah’s Backpack, including the following organizations: St. Michael Lutheran Church, New Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, Shiloh Lutheran Church, Luther Memorial Lutheran Church , Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, SHARE, The Fitness and Nutrition Club at VT and Kroger.

For More Information
Contact Pastor John Wertz at pastorjohn@stmlc.us or call St. Michael Lutheran Church at 951-8951.