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Outreach

Following Jesus’ commandment set out in Matthew 25:35-37 to feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked and visit the sick and those in prison, St. Thomas reaches out in the community and the world by working with these groups:

 

 

Martha’s Project   Martha’s is a ministry with area churches meeting the physical and spiritual needs of the community in eastern Beaufort County. Martha’s operates a thrift store and uses proceeds to buy food for families in need. St. Thomas parishioners are involved in unloading, bagging and distributing food on a regular schedule at Martha’s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salvation Army   We participate in bell-ringing for the Salvation Army for 3 weekends in December to provide Christmas gifts and food for those in need.

 


 

 

 

 

Advent Angel Tree Parishioners choose a gift tag off the Christmas tree and purchase the children’s or adults’ wished-for gifts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                            

 

 

 

 

Backpack Pals | St. Thomas Episcopal Church

Backpack Pals Program

Frequently Asked Questions

WHO:  Our congregation has supported this ministry for over 21 years.  We serve elementary school students in Beaufort County who have been identified as having food insecurity on the weekends, when there is no access to school breakfast and lunch programs.  We are currently providing weekend meals for a total of 89 children.

WHAT:  We provide 17 breakfast, lunch, and dinner items to the children as they leave school to begin the weekend.  Snacks and drinks are also included, and everything has been selected with care regarding the nutritional values, ease of opening and preparation,  and some week-to-week variety.

WHEN:  Every weekend during the regular school year.  On the last day of each week based on the schools system’s schedule (holidays, teacher workdays etc.) children are discretely given a bag of food by the bus driver as they are dropped off.

WHERE:  The storage and packing of the food bags occurs on the St. Thomas Episcopal Church campus, in Bath.  Our faithful team of Volunteers selects the items for each bag.  The packed bags are then delivered by our Volunteers to the Bath Elementary School (for 29 children) and Northeast Elementary School (for 60 children).

HOW:  The Back Pack Pals weekend food supplement program is funded and operated by members of our congregation.  A Volunteer Team of nearly 30 individuals purchase, pack, and deliver the food bags each week.  At a cost of $297 per child, our annual expenses approach $30,000 annually.  Additional funding and support comes from other sources such as Martha’s Food Pantry, Trinity Methodist Church Women’s Group, St. Reddick’s Missionary Baptist Church, Woodstock Free Will Baptist Church, the Tri-County Telephone Foundation, and the ECU Health Community Benefits Grants Program.  We are always in need of additional funds, and appeal for your assistance.

WHY:  Following Jesus commandment, as written in Matthew 25, verse 35 “for I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat”.  Our goal is to reduce food insecurity for elementary school-age children in northeastern Beaufort County.  No hungry children!

For more information, or to make a donation, contact:

Chris Kiricoples, at (252) 945-7637, or e-mail at [email protected]