Church Holds Feed the Children Fund-raiser

Staff Writer

  
    The women of the First Presbyterian Church on Main Street in Monticello held their first Feed the Children Bazaar. All proceeds from the fundraiser go towards their Feed the Children project.

Photo by Candi Marshall

Raising Funds -  Angela Naron looks at bread while Valerie Thompson looks at other items for sale at the Feed the Children Bazaar Fund-raiser. Both are members of the Church of Christ in Monticello.

   The Feed the Children project in care of the First Presbyterian Church began in 2006 because of a hungry child who was being fed constantly while on a tour. The child said she only ate while at school. This incident caused the women of the church to meet and discuss ways to help children in need of food.

    Initially, the group delivered food for 16 children in kindergarten through third grade. After their success and the positive response, the group delivers food for 130 children in both Drew Central and Monticello schools. They also deliver food to the Sesame School.

    Louisa Smith, the initiator of the Feed the Children project, said they make 600 bags a month. The bags contain two breakfast and dinner meals, three fruits, snacks, juice and a toothbrush and toothpaste.

    On Wednesdays, the group and other volunteers meet at the church and form an assembly line to put the bags together. The groups deliver the bags every week to the schools. The teachers pass the bags out on Fridays. The children who receive the bags are anonymous to the group.

    Allison Collins purchases all of the groceries for the bags and keeps a running total of what they need. Collins said the teachers mentioned the increase of attendance and attention in children who receive the bags.

    The fundraiser came into effect because of the growing amount of children they feed as well as the rising price of food. The group announced their plan and asked for everyone to donated their talents. They said the members of the church were receptive and enthusiastic. The donations included baked goods, floral arrangements, photographs, knitted dish towels and even aprons. One apron had a weevil stitched on it.

    A lady from Lonoke heard about the project and sent a donation. Many of the surrounding churches have donated money and time along with Union Bank and Simmons Bank. Shelia Gardner, Drew Central librarian, was named among many of the Feed the Children supporters.

    Many members of the church came and purchased items, as well as Angela Naron, Valerie Thompson and Brooke Thompson, all members of the Church of Christ in Monticello.

Valerie Thompson, a Drew Central School secretary, said, “I just wanted to come out and be supportive.” She purchased plants, brownies and muffins.

    Linda Magness, a member of the Feed the Children project, said, “This event has been successful. One child said she felt like someone cared. That makes what we do all worth while.”

    To donate money to the Feed the Children project, make checks payable to: Feed the Children in care of First Presbyterian Church at P.O. Box 1248, Monticello, 71655. All donations are tax deductible.

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