Video: Columbus Church Launches Meal Program

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)-Success in the classroom is the main focus of any school but without proper nutrition, students may focus more on their empty stomachs rather than their studies.

The first bell of the school year will soon ring, but one Columbus church is focused on the weekend. The First Methodist Church will provide elementary students with free meals on Saturdays and Sundays.

“You’ll have like the apple sauce, shelf stable milk, cereal, they’ll be snacks and granolas and just things that are easy to fix but nutritious,” says Lee Burdine.

It’s called the Backpack Program. Forty students from Franklin Academy will be provided with four healthy meals.
“Food will come here and we have a United Methodist main refrigerator and freezer that will keep them in and we’ll pack them. I’m sure come together with willing hearts and spirits again when the opportunity of serve presence itself. That will be done on a weekly basis,” says Rev. Raigan Miskelly.

Terrie Gooch, the Physical Education teacher at Franklin Academy, says she’s seen, first hand, the effects of hunger.

“I’ve had lunch room duty the last two years and when I see the same children come in on a daily basis you start recognizing the ones that are basically eating for survival. You know it’s not the child’s fault. We’re just thrilled to have the opportunity to help the children so they can come in and be better prepared to learn,” says Terrie Gooch.
“Our ultimate goal is that people are happy, healthy, fed and that they know the love of Christ,” says Rev. Miskelly.

It’s a ministry that’s made up of more than just a menu, it’s a labor of love to help those in need.

If you would like more information on the how to help with the program just log onto: serving@columbusfumc.org