Pictured in the "food closet" are (l-r) Leah Fonua, STC Elementary Guidance; Charlene Kenkel, Christ UMC; Missy Jesina, Christ UMC; Becky Heeren, Christ UMC; Anita Townsley, STC Elementary Guidance; Linda Wackwitz, Living Faith UMC-Montour; Vanessa Rivera, STC At-Risk Coordinator; and Rhonda Shaw, Living Faith UMC-Tama. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Each year on the first Saturday in November, Iowa United Methodists “gather in” cash and other items for missions in Iowa and worldwide at the Ingathering events. A portion of the funds collected returns to Iowa Hunger Relief agencies. Christ United Methodist Church (Toledo), along with Living Faith United Methodist Church (Tama & Montour) applied for a 2023 Hunger Grant for the STC Backpack Program and recently received $250.00 to support this valuable local project. Eighty grants were awarded in Iowa, totaling $20,500. The other Tama County recipient was the Northwest Tama County Food Pantry (sponsored by the Gladbrook United Methodist Church).

In Iowa, 229,500 people face hunger daily — and of them, 80,160 are children, according to Feeding America. The STC Backpack Program provides kid-friendly and nutritious food for 50-100 at-risk students and families in grades preschool-12. Food is given to the students to get them through the weekends and holidays when school lunch is not available.

Christ UMC also donated proceeds of $425.00 from their annual “Fat Sunday” pancake Meal to the STC Backpack Program.