Backpack Pfriends

Dr. Alex Torrez, Superintendent of PISD delivered a video message to PCC on Sunday, December 15. He said, “Sometimes we think of not having access to enough food as a problem in other communities, other countries, but not in our own backyard. Childhood hunger is real. It is a problem and it exists in PISD right now.”

I was surprised the first time I heard Dr. Torrez talk about children right here in our community that don’t have enough food. These children are fed at school 5-days-a-week, but on the week-ends they often go without. I cannot imagine walking home from school on a Friday afternoon as a 2^nd grader wondering if I’ll have anything to eat for the next two days. Dr. Torrez raised awareness of the problem and then offered a solution. PISD is partnering with local churches on a pilot program called Backpack Pfriends. The program distributes backpacks loaded with nutritious food for the week-end every Friday for at risk children. PCC is one of churches stepping up to partner with the school district for the pilot program.

 This year’s Christmas Eve offering will be given in total to fund the Backpack Pfriends project at Brookhollow Elementary School. The backpacks have already been donated, so 100% of our offering will go to providing the food to put in them. Our goal is to raise $9000 needed to support the program through the spring semester and fall. Would you set aside an offering for Christmas Eve that will be an on-going blessing to children in our community?

 This year’s Christmas Eve project also provides opportunities for us to help in a “hands-on” way. PCC will need volunteers to stuff the backpacks every week and hand them out. More details about volunteering to be part of the Backpack Pfriends program will be available in January. What a great opportunity for PCC to make a difference for Christ in our own backyard.

 The proverb contends, “A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.” Proverbs 22:9 (NIV)

Our desire is to honor God by sharing our food and the Bread of Life, who is Christ our Lord. We won’t be slipping gospel tracts into the backpacks, but we will pray for each family that receives them. We won’t give with strings attached; we’ll simply be a blessing and let the Spirit work.