We CAN stop this. Together, we can end hunger in Des Plaines’ children. One school, one child, one backpack at a time.
Introducing: The Community Backpack Program
We are partnering with other local churches to provide backpacks filled with food
on the weekends for needy students in Des Plaines' elementary schools.
Without this help, these kids might otherwise go hungry.
It doesn’t matter if you belong to our church or don’t; we need your support. There are two ways you can help.
on the weekends for needy students in Des Plaines' elementary schools.
Without this help, these kids might otherwise go hungry.
It doesn’t matter if you belong to our church or don’t; we need your support. There are two ways you can help.
1. Purchase and donate groceries.
Purchase supplies for the children's food backpacks. In the green box to the right (or below), there is a list of food items that go into each backpack. Check your pantry, or go shopping for whatever items you are willing to donate. Bring them to our church, and place them in the blue bucket in the parlor.
A single backpack's contents for one week will cost about $27.50.
A single backpack's contents for one week will cost about $27.50.
But I don't belong to your church. How will I find where to donate?
Don't let this discourage you. All you have to do is come to our church on any weekday between 9am and 4 pm. Park in the spaces behind our building, and use the big brown doors to enter. (They're the ONLY doors, so they're easy to spot.) Press the 'doorbell' button, and someone from our staff will let you in, and help you leave your groceries.
Or, come visit us on Sunday morning. (Staying for our church service is 100% optional.)
Questions? Just call (847) 827-5561
Don't let this discourage you. All you have to do is come to our church on any weekday between 9am and 4 pm. Park in the spaces behind our building, and use the big brown doors to enter. (They're the ONLY doors, so they're easy to spot.) Press the 'doorbell' button, and someone from our staff will let you in, and help you leave your groceries.
Or, come visit us on Sunday morning. (Staying for our church service is 100% optional.)
Questions? Just call (847) 827-5561
2. Make a monetary donation.
The other way you can help is to simply make a donation, and we will do the shopping. 100% of your donation goes directly to grocery purchases, guaranteed.
You can make a monetary gift to the backpack program on-line, from this website. We accept credit cards, debit cards, and direct deposit links. The link to our on-line giving is here: FUMC Giving. Please be sure to enter the amount in the box that says 'Community Backpack Program".
You can also simply make a check to "First United Methodist Church". Please be sure to write 'Community Backpack Program" on the memo line. Our mailing address is 668 Graceland Ave. Des Plaines, IL 60016.
A single backpack's contents for one week is about $27.50.
You can make a monetary gift to the backpack program on-line, from this website. We accept credit cards, debit cards, and direct deposit links. The link to our on-line giving is here: FUMC Giving. Please be sure to enter the amount in the box that says 'Community Backpack Program".
You can also simply make a check to "First United Methodist Church". Please be sure to write 'Community Backpack Program" on the memo line. Our mailing address is 668 Graceland Ave. Des Plaines, IL 60016.
A single backpack's contents for one week is about $27.50.
What's in a Food Backpack?
Each backpack gets all these items every week:
1 - Canned pasta & meat (example Spaghetti O’s)
1 - Canned soup – kid flavors
1 - Boxed macaroni & cheese
1 - Can of beef stew or chicken stew
1 - Small can of sausages, tuna, or chicken
2 - Oatmeal packets
2 - Individual cereal boxes
2 - Individual fruit cups
2 - Small cans of fruit or vegetables
6 - Juice Boxes
Shelf-stable milk
6 - Snack bars, fruit snacks, peanut butter crackers, individual pretzels, chips
3 - Cookies, pudding cups, Rice Krispy treats, etc
Peanut butter [1 jar per month]
Jelly [1 jar per month]
1 - Bag of rice
1 - Bag of red beans
Gallon Zip-lock bags
1 - Canned pasta & meat (example Spaghetti O’s)
1 - Canned soup – kid flavors
1 - Boxed macaroni & cheese
1 - Can of beef stew or chicken stew
1 - Small can of sausages, tuna, or chicken
2 - Oatmeal packets
2 - Individual cereal boxes
2 - Individual fruit cups
2 - Small cans of fruit or vegetables
6 - Juice Boxes
Shelf-stable milk
6 - Snack bars, fruit snacks, peanut butter crackers, individual pretzels, chips
3 - Cookies, pudding cups, Rice Krispy treats, etc
Peanut butter [1 jar per month]
Jelly [1 jar per month]
1 - Bag of rice
1 - Bag of red beans
Gallon Zip-lock bags
End hunger in Des Plaines!
