Feeding God's Children
Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Appalachia

Feeding God's Children partners with Lighthouse Mission Center (www.lighthousemissioncenter.org) in Pineville, KY to meet the needs of children in several areas, mainly through the Bell County School System. Sharon Teaney is the mission director, and oversees the disbursement of funds received from Feeding God's Children.
 

42% of all children who live in Bell County, Kentucky are living below the poverty level--many with a single mother who makes an average of $8,802 a year. Monthly child sponsorships provide funds the Lighthouse Mission uses to buy clothing, food, and hygiene items for these children when needed. We also help with supplies used in programs at the Bell County Day Treatment, an alternative school for at-risk high school students.

Our Weekend Backpack Club has recently expanded and now includes three schools:  Bell Central, Page, and Frakes. Each weekend, qualified children receive a backpack filled with enough food to carry them through the weekend, since they only receive government-provided breakfast and lunch when school is in session.

Feeding God's Children participates in several hands-on family events during the year.

At Christmas, we help to provide food boxes for families of sponsored elementary children which include a toy for each child. Blankets, socks and gloves and a pizza Christmas Party are provided for the teens at the alternative high school.

In the spring, we put on a Family Fun Day for elementary students with games, hotdogs, face and nail painting, and door prizes.

In July, we join other organizations in assisting the Lighthouse Mission Center in the Back-to-School Clothing and School Supply Distribution. The day is filled with carnival games, nail and face painting, a clown, free haircuts, food, and lots of clothing, shoes, and school supplies being distributed to the families of the community.

Each of these events impacts two groups of people.The lives of those we serve in Jesus' name are affected as we meet physical needs and often have opportunity to pray for those we serve. Additionally, each of the individuals and families who go with Feeding God's Children to serve come away changed by the experience. God is glorified in both!