Backpacks of Love

By  Katrice Williams

Many people’s hearts sink at the thought of a starving or hungry child. However, hunger is the grim reality faced by some children each day. Melodie Lane is the director of the Backpacks of Love Program.


Melodie established the program in 2012 in order to help students within the Bryan County Public School System who are affected by food insecurity. She has served in various capacities within the local school system for 25 years. Melodie, who is currently a bookkeeper, has been a second-grade teacher, media center specialist and student services representative.

She is the director of student ministries at her church, New Beginnings Community Church (New Beginnings); her husband Steve Lane is the pastor there, and Wes Wickard is the associate pastor.

Inspiration

Melodie knows that hunger should never be an option for children. The idea of Backpacks of Love first came to her in 2011. She recalls one of her biggest inspirations to begin the program.

 “A couple of little boys came into my office late for school one day. They kept looking at some crackers I had on the desk. I gave them to them. They said, ‘We haven’t eaten breakfast since we were in school,’” she says.

Hearing such a statement was heartbreaking, understanding that the two boys had last been in school on the previous Friday which was about three days prior. They explained to Melodie that their mom had not been at home, and there was no food in the house. Melodie then took them to the cafeteria to get some breakfast.

Melodie understood that there were many other children all around just like those two boys.

“There’s a lot of hungry children in Richmond Hill and the Pembroke area,” she says.

The Program

Over time, Melodie gained approval from the school system to launch the program. She also spoke with her husband and church community, who were on board to assist with the valiant effort. Several nonprofits, various clubs and organizations also took part in supporting the cause.

Backpacks of Love is available for all school children in Bryan County – elementary, middle and high school students. Elementary students are normally the largest number served.

At the start of each school year, Melodie emails school counselors. Teachers are able to refer students that have signs of food insecurity to their school counselors. Teachers are able to notice such signs in various ways. Some of the students may often complain about being hungry, ask their fellow classmates for food in the cafeteria or even attempt to take other students’ snacks throughout the day. The counselors contact the parents about Backpacks of Love. Parents who consent to participate in the program receive information to sign and return to the school counselors. The information is documented. School counselors provide Melodie with the number of students who are in need of food each week.

Each student receives one bag of food on Friday to take home with them for the weekend; all bags are filled with a variety of non-perishables to cover breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack for both Saturday and Sunday to ensure that each child will have enough food to last throughout the weekend. Items may include box cereal, instant oatmeal, fruit or fruit cups, soup, ravioli, peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, fruit bars, gummies, juice and shelf-stable milk.

“We try to consider covering meals so that they have enough to last the weekend if there is nothing in their home,” she says.

Families are also able to receive food over the holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas) to make sure that their children have enough to eat throughout those extended breaks.

Volunteers

The volunteers are the ones that help make it all possible. Terri Goldman, a member of New Beginnings, leads the volunteer group at the church; they help to pack and distribute food. Most volunteers are from New Beginnings. Individuals from the community, various civic groups and organizations also volunteer to help pack bags.

“There’s always plenty of people. Sometimes we never know who’s going to show up,” Melodie says.

Volunteers meet at the church each Thursday morning to pack bags. On average, about 300 bags of food are packed each week. The bags are divided into big tubs to be picked up and distributed to each school. The tubs are delivered to the schools for the students on Friday. The tubs are later picked up from the schools, and the process starts all over again.

“Volunteers see how much food it takes to pack all the bags. It even amazes me how we’re able to provide it, but God always provides,” she says.

Why It All Matters

Melodie’s profession has allowed her countless moments to interact with children of all ages and backgrounds. She remembers the very honest and innocent words spoken by a little girl years ago during the Christmas season. She asked the young girl what she wanted most for Christmas. The little girl’s response was heart-wrenching:

“That food would be free.”

She didn’t say that she wanted a doll, a game or a bicycle, nothing of the sort; instead, she just wanted food to be free.

Those types of moments shined a bright light on the importance of the program.

“Those moments keep everything in perspective … why it’s all worth it and how important it is that the kids get fed. I think it’s really a passion. When I see kids in need, I feel we have to meet that need,” Melodie says.

                 
Moreover, school counselors have received letters from some parents expressing their gratitude. Melodie recalls a letter sent from a mom of a family of five who revealed that the bag of food received was, at times, the only food that was available in the entire home.

                 
“It’s those things that keep you going. I’m very blessed to be a part of it,” she says.

Support And Generosity

Melodie is thankful for all the support, kindness and generosity that her church family has shown over the years. Through their love and support, the program has been able to help countless children.

She is grateful for all the kindness and philanthropy shown by individuals, businesses and organizations who have contributed to the worthwhile cause. She feels blessed that there is always enough to serve the children.

                 
“Many different people take part. It’s pretty amazing how many children we serve, and there’s always enough. The Richmond Hill community gives back a lot. People have gone above and beyond. I appreciate our community … the way they always lend a hand,” Melodie says.

                 
Anyone interested in supporting Backpacks of Love may contact New Beginnings. Both monetary donations and donations of food are appreciated. If food is provided, it is asked that items are pre-packaged and easily accessible for children.

New Beginnings Community Church
75 Crosswinds Drive
Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324
(912) 445-0196
Sunday Services: 9-10 a.m.
11 a.m.- noon
www.richmondhill.church