APPALACHIAN CHRISTMAS OUTREACH
Description
The Appalachian Coalfields Ministry, sponsored by Baptists on Mission, seeks to meet physical and spiritual needs of people living in the Appalachian Area. Working with scores of ministry centers and small churches in five Appalachian states, we help mobilize volunteers and resources to meet needs. One of the greatest ministry needs in this area occurs around Christmastime. BOM is calling on churches statewide to respond to this need through Appalachian Christmas Outreach 2023.
Our goal is to collect 21,000 backpacks of items to be distributed to Appalachian children in areas of need in late November and December 2023. Statewide collection date will be Saturday, November 4. Collection areas will be set up across the state for churches to bring their backpacks.
Backpack Information
1) COLLECT ITEMS AND PREPARE BACKPACKS to be taken to a regional collection center on Saturday, November 4 (collection sites will be listed below in September). We encourage churches to begin collecting and filling the packs early – and throughout the year, as certain items such as warm clothing, go on sale. Each zippered school backpack should include:
A) Items of NEW warm clothing. Please try to provide a winter hat, a pair of gloves, 2-3 pair of winter socks, and maybe a scarf.
B) Small pop-top canned food items such as ravioli, tuna, beef stew, vegetables, fruit (3-4 cans - no plastic containers, please)
C) At least 1 or 2 NEW, age appropriate non-breakable toy(s) (no toy weapons, please!) This can include small cars, balls, dolls, small stuffed animals, puzzles, jump rope, sidewalk chalk, card games, Legos, etc. For oldest age group (15-17) substitute an appropriate item instead of a toy, such as, a flashlight, small thermos, light blanket, earbuds, small tool kits, fishing gear, books, hunting, fishing or sports magazines for the boys - jewelry, books, earbuds, skin care products, hair accessories, small travel-sized hair dryer, etc. for girls.
D) Hygiene items including full sized containers of toothpaste, body wash, shampoo, and deoderant, as well as toothbrush, soap, washcloth, brush or comb. (Please fit these items into a one gallon Ziploc bag so they do not leak out into the rest of the backpack).
E) Fresh, wrapped candy (no chocolate please, as it may melt; and no peanut products because of potential allergies)
F) A children’s Bible or youth Bible (no one version is required) Please make sure that every backpack has a regular sized (not Gideon sized, please) Bible in it! This is the most important item!
G) A copy of "The Christmas Story" (Click here for a downloadable PDF version)
We ask that you prepare your backpack as you would for your own child or grandchild, with new items, not used ones. This quality gift could be the only Christmas present this child receives, and will be a witness of Christ’s love!
Packing and Labeling
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please make sure all items fit into the backpack. Nothing should be attached to the outside of the pack except the ribbons identifying age and boy/girl. Items outside of the backpack do not store and travel well. Many are either torn off or become quite dirty in transport. Also, please do not tape the outside of the backpacks as it leaves a sticky residue.
Age Grouping and Labeling. Each backpack will have two 10 inch ribbons tied to them - one to indicate gender and one for age, as follows:
Gender:
Blue ribbon will indicate a boy’s backpack
Pink ribbon will indicate a girl’s backpack
Age:
Yellow ribbon for ages 4-7
Green ribbon for ages 8-10
Red ribbon for ages 11-14
White ribbon for ages 15-17
For additional information, please visit the Baptists On Missions website.