Students in grade four and five unload the truck from Feeding South Dakota. Photos by Pastor Cheryl Nyman.

For several years, the United Methodist Church in White River, South Dakota, has supported the backpack program for elementary students in the White River School District. The congregation supports the mission outreach through an offering three to four times during each school year. Food items are purchased for the monthly backpack giveaway when money is available. 

White River, South Dakota, located in southwest South Dakota, is a gateway to the Badlands and the Rosebud Reservation. More than 60% of the people who live in White River, which has a population of about 700, are Native American. The average annual income per person hovers at $20,000. 

After prayers, White River UMC decided that consistent giving to the backpack program,  serving 225 elementary students each month, should be a priority. The congregation initiated a campaign to make the program more visible. The result is increased funding that allows the program to expand to reach middle school and high school students. 

The backpacks are sent home with every student, regardless of need. Each month, at least seven items are in the bag, including a main course food item—pasta, rice, or soup, vegetables, cereal, shelf-stable milk, fruit, protein or granola bars, and a snack. There is enough for two meals. 

Food costs approximately $3 for each student when purchased through Feeding South Dakota. A Breakthrough Ministry Grant of $1,000 was received from the Dakotas Conference to assist with the increasing costs.

A truck from Feeding South Dakota stops in White River each month. Fourth and fifth-grade students, along with their teachers, help unload 1,000 lbs. of food into a storage building, which is less than 15 minutes away from the church and school. 

“When it comes time to ‘build’ the backpacks, which are plastic sacks donated by the congregation, high school students in Mrs. Kinsley’s Family and Consumer Science classes fulfill the task,” explains Pastor Cheryl Nymann, White River UMC. “Students fill and deliver the totes of sacks to each of the 12 elementary classrooms in White River in less than one hour. Mrs. Kinsley has often commented that this is a great service project for her students and allows them an opportunity to give back.”

Members at White River UMC pack 50 backpacks with food to deliver to elementary students in Norris, South Dakota. The principal picks up the food sacks and brings them to the school, which is 44 miles southwest of White River.  

White River students build the sacks for the backpack program.

“Whether students unload food boxes or fill sacks, they often ask about this program. It provides us with a wonderful opportunity to share with them that this is a mission project that the people of White River UMC support,” said Pastor Cheryl. 

Recently, White River UMC took a few boxes of apples, purchased through Feeding South Dakota, to the high school. The apples were received too late to include in the elementary backpacks. 

“They were a hit! Those students loved having a healthy snack available between some of their classes,” Pastor Cheryl shared. “Some students don’t get to school in time for breakfast. They were able to grab an apple in the lobby. Some students are uncomfortable eating lunch in the lunchroom, but at least they ate an apple in the lobby.”

The apples disappeared quickly. The congregation ordered more and purchased carrots, bricks of cheese, and bakery items. Mrs. Kinsley’s classes and National Honor Society members peeled, sliced, and bagged the carrots. There were enough items for high and middle school students to take home.

Because of the successful teamwork of White River UMC, Feeding South Dakota recently awarded $5,880 to the congregation. The funds are a credit toward food purchases through Feeding South Dakota to be utilized by the end of 2024. 

“Along with our congregation’s continued donations, this will fund the monthly Elementary Backpack Program and the new high school and middle school food purchases well into the following school year,” said Pastor Cheryl.  

Resources:

Breakthrough Ministry Grant: Projects supported through Breakthrough Ministry grants include outreach ministries, church/school partnerships, young adult/campus ministries, and culture of call. Applications are being accepted for the next quarter through April 30. 

Feeding South Dakota: A hunger relief organization that provides temporary food assistance to thousands of individuals across South Dakota every week. Feeding South Dakota has several partnerships with several United Methodist congregations.