Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Basye/Orkney Springs, VA

Luke's Backpack

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A community ministry coordinated by the Shenandoah Valley Lutheran Ministries and in partnership with Shenandoah County Public Schools, Luke's Backpack collects food for children who might otherwise have nothing to eat. Almost 50% of public school students in Shenandoah County qualify for free or reduced lunches and breakfasts--Luke's Backpack is a way of feeding qualifying students when they are home for the weekend.

The Women of the ELCA at Prince of Peace began collecting donations for the Luke's Backpack program in 2011, and our congregation has since become an enthusiastic supporter of this caring ministry. We receive donations in a box outside the pastor's office.

How the program works:

Every Friday afternoon, students participants receive a backpack containing 6 healthy meals, milk, water, and snacks to take home for the weekend. On Monday morning, the student returns the empty backpack to the school so it can be restocked for the following Friday.

Who can participate?

Luke's Backpack serves elementary, middle, and high school students at all three Shenandoah County campuses. Students are identified by school administrators as being at risk for food security before they are enrolled in the program. Parents who feel their family may qualify should contact their child's school office to inquire further.

To learn more:

You can contact Luke's Backpack Coordinator Leslie Heird at leslie.lukesbackpack@gmail.com

...or you can reach the Shenandoah Valley Lutheran Ministries at:

SVLM
P.O. Box 132
Toms Brook, VA 22660
www.SVLM.org

YOU can help!
Here's a list of foods needed to make healthy meals for Luke's Backpacks.
 
All food needs to be non-perishable and in individual packaging, like you would pack for your own lunches.

  • V8 Juice or 100% Orange Juice
  • Oatmeal & Cereal
  • Tuna Kits / Chicken Salad Kits
  • Prepackaged Microwavable Meals (i.e. Compleats by Hormel)
  • Macaroni and Cheese Single Servings
  • Individual bags of: Crackers, Pretzels, Teddy Grahams, Goldfish, etc.
  • Individual Cups of Soup
  • Applesauce or Fruit Cups
  • Canned Fruit
  • Canned Spagettios or Ravioli
  • Small Cans of Vegetables
  • Microwave Popcorn
  • Pudding cups
  • Granola Bars, Breakfast Bars, or Pop Tarts
If you would prefer to provide a monetary donation,
a gift of $10.00 will fill one child's backpack for one weekend.

All checks should be made payable to:
Shenandoah Valley Lutheran Ministries, Inc.
Please write "Luke's Backpack" on the memo line.

You can mail your monetary donation directly to SVLM, or place it in the offering plate at Prince of Peace if it is clearly marked for Luke's Backpack.