The outreach began in 2010 as a way to serve children of St. Stephens Elementary School whose parents struggle to provide for their family.

Through the years we have a faith growing relationship with the students and staff of the public elementary school.  The additional support our church and school have provided are: help a young student with leukemia, books for a new reading program, updated landscaping, hygiene items, school supplies, teacher appreciation, and a clothes closet. We continue to make an impact on our community and serve God by serving others.

The mission of St. Stephens Lutheran—Backpack Outreach is to feed the children. Our program began in January 2010 by providing 30 bags per week filled with food to children of St. Stephens Elementary. The number of bags has increased to 90 per week.

Your help is appreciated and here is how you can help:
· donate food from the food list weekly or monthly
· Pray for the ministry especially the children and families receiving the backpack
· A child can be sponsored for $10 a weekend.

Is there a need?

YES! Many children have few options for meals on weekends and holidays. Often parents or guardians have to choose between food, rent, or utilities. The Backpack Outreach seeks to provide weekend food resources to these
children.

Backpack food programs have been shown to increase attendance, decrease behavior problems, improve concentration abilities of students and improve student academic achievement.

How the program works?

• The food is donated by church members and school families chapel.
• Monetary donations are used to purchase the needed items.
• Shelves are stocked in storage room.
• The 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classes of SSLS rotate packing the bags.
• The bags are delivered to St. Stephens Elementary School on Thursday.
• The children receive the bag filled with food on Friday afternoon.
• A volunteer picks up the empty tubs to return them to the church where the process begins again.
  
  **Hygiene items, school supplies and clothes are collected through out the year and are delivered to the school as needed or
  depending on the season.
  
  

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Snacks

School Supplies

Personal Hygiene