Jenks Church Ministry Seeking Donations To Provide Healthy Snacks To Students Over The Summer

A Jenks church is raising money to provide healthy snacks to Glenpool students over the summer.

St. James Presbyterian Church said it needs $1,600 to receive a matching grant from Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery for its summer Backpack Ministry.

The ministry started 15 years ago after a few women at the church who work for Glenpool Public Schools noticed students were going hungry on weekends.

"In 2008 we started with being able to provide 30 kids with snacks and over the years we have been able to grow our program to 105," said Backpack Ministry Leader, Jennifer Walling.

She said they started delivering snack bags weekly to schools in the Glenpool Public Schools district. The bags contain food items like granola bars, fruit cups, goldfish crackers, pudding, and juice boxes.

Walling said the church expanded the ministry last year to cover the summer months and said it would not be possible without community support.

"I could not do it without our congregation, they have been so generous providing what we need also to help these kids," she added. "I have kids and I just could not imagine what it would be like if they did not have food and so I have just always wanted to serve, so I am just grateful, and it is an honor to help this program."

Walling said one in five children in Oklahoma faces hunger, which is the motivation behind the church's ministry. She said a $30 donation toward the Backpack Ministry will provide one child with a weekly snack bag for the entire summer. Anyone interested in giving can do so through the church's Facebook fundraiser or by mailing a check to St. James Presbyterian Church at 11970 S Elm St., Jenks, OK 74037.

Glenpool Public Schools also offer free meals over the summer for children 18 and under. The district serves breakfast and lunch Monday through Thursday now through July 27 at Glenpool Intermediate School, except for the week of the 4th of July. 

The meals are dine-in only from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. for breakfast and 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch. 

Children 12 and under must have an adult with them.