Hell Friends,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to you today with a request for your support in an important endeavor.

As you know, our church operates the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry that every month serves approximately 60 families who struggle to meet their basic needs. Within this vulnerable group, we have approximately 28 children between the ages of 5 – 17 who rely on the pantry’s resources to alleviate food insecurity. It is our goal to ensure that these children are equipped not only with nourishment but also with the tools necessary to succeed academically.

With a new school year ahead, we are launching our annual campaign to collect donations for school supplies, aimed specifically at assisting the children who benefit from our food pantry. By providing them with the essential tools for learning, we can empower these young minds and contribute to their educational development, ultimately helping to break the cycle of poverty.

This year we are suggesting that your donation could be either actual school supplies or gift cards to Staples or Target so that we can purchase the supplies. Any contribution, no matter how small, can make a significant difference in the lives of these children. Here are some suggestions for items that would greatly benefit the students:

            1.        Backpacks

            2.        Notebooks, pens, pencils, pencil sharpeners, pencil cases and erasers

            3.        Crayons, markers, highlighters and colored pencils

            4.        Book covers, portfolios, pocket folders and binders

            5.        Glue sticks, liquid glue and scissors

            6.        Rulers and protractors

            7.        Notebooks, composition books and looseleaf paper

Your donations can be dropped off at the church in the tote which will be outside the door to the sanctuary. We will check it often. You could let us know if you drop something off by emailing us at if you choose. You can leave gift cards in an envelop with Loaves and Fishes clearly marked on it in the grey box to the right of the office door during Jenn’s office hours (M T W 9-3 TH 9 -2). You can always email me at the above address and we will figure something out!

Additionally, we would greatly appreciate it if you could help spread the word about our campaign within the church community, among friends, and on social media platforms. Encouraging others to join us in this noble cause can multiply our impact.

Together, we can ensure that every child in our community has the opportunity to start the school year on equal footing, equipped with the necessary supplies to thrive academically.

Thank you for your kindness, compassion, and continued support. Let us come together as a church family to uplift these young lives and nurture their dreams.

Thank you for everything you do!

Marilyn Martin