A group of sixth graders from Ellington Apostolic Church recently showed what faithful service can look like when combined with a joyful spirit of giving.
Together, they repacked 1,440 pounds of Cheez-Its at Midwest Food Bank New England, and they also brought a very special gift.
Over the past six months, the students quietly filled a mason jar in their Sunday school classroom with coins and cash, eventually raising $804.40. When they arrived at the food bank, that gift was multiplied into the equivalent of $32,096 in food for families experiencing food insecurity.
Sam Schneider, their Sunday school teacher, shared how it all began:
“Earlier in the year, on Sunday, we were reading the Bible story about the woman who gave two mites, which was all she had. One of the kids piped up and said we should donate money too! I asked them where they would want to donate the money they raise, and a few of them shouted out, “Midwest Food Bank!” So that began the mason jar, which sat on the shelf in our Sunday school classroom for the last 6 months, and each Sunday the kids would bring cash or pocket change and toss it in the jar at random. Suddenly, we realized it was growing, and the kids started getting excited about counting it. When I told them that Midwest stretches a dollar 30 times, they were blown away at the difference they could make in the lives of people with food insecurities.”
For these young volunteers, the lesson was more than a Sunday school story. It was a call to live out faith through action, reminding us all that no gift is too small when given with a willing heart.
The impact was twofold. They not only helped provide tens of thousands of dollars’ in food but also experienced the joy of serving side by side in fellowship. These students discovered the truth of what happens when faith meets action, and they left an impression of hope on the Midwest Food Bank New England team.
As their mason jar overflowed with coins, their time together overflowed with meaning. Their story stands as a reminder that generosity, no matter the size, can multiply into something far greater than we imagine.
You can help multiply blessings, too. Whether through prayer, giving, or serving alongside others, your part makes a difference. Join us today.
