Backpack project underway

By Sam Waller

First Baptist Church of Albany is helping provide meals for children of four local families through its summer backpack program.

FBC children’s minister Ginger Bumguardner said the project will run weekly through June and July.

“We’re attempting to provide some food over the summer for some kids who might need that,” Bumguardner said. “The school backpack program stopped during COVID, and they haven’t had it since. We’re trying to pick it up over the summer just to make sure kids who need it get fed.”

Bumguardner said the program will help 10 children this summer.

“We don’t have that many,” she said. “John Gallagher and Stephanie Gleitz went through the school roll and determined people who might be in need. I called the families and asked if they wanted to participate.”

Bumguardner stressed that the program is only open to the families that have already been contacted.

“Unfortunately, it’s not intended for the city at large,” she said. “I wish it could be that, but it’s not right now, this summer, anyway.”

Bumguardner said the program aims to provide breakfast and lunch for the children.

“We’re asking for nonperishable items, things that, with a parent working, a kid could take care of themselves,” she said. “Things like microwave macaroni or SpaghettiOs where they can just pop off the lid and put it in a microwave would be great. Lunch meat or peanut butter and jelly are also good.”

Bumguardner said it costs about $30 per week per child to provide the food. Donations of food or cash should be brought to the FBC church office by noon on Wednesdays so families can pick up packages on Thursdays. Food packages will be assembled by FBC’s Preteen Ministry as part of its Wednesday meetings.