May 2025

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In May South Shore United Methodist Church/Backpacks on a Mission expanded to include Backpacks on a Mission Literacy Program.

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Since 2011, Backpacks on a Mission has provided support to children at seven local elementary schools in Hillsborough County, Florida, who are at risk of food insecurity. Children without proper food and nutrition are at risk for increased health issues and often suffer academic deficiencies. It is difficult for children to focus on their schoolwork when they are worried about whether they will have anything to eat before returning on Monday, as they leave class on Friday. These children qualify for complimentary breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday during the school year. Backpacks on a Mission provides easy-to-prepare nutritious food on weekends to supplement what the family already provides.

 

This newly expanded Outreach Ministry focuses on literacy for Backpacks on a Mission and pre-K students at seven local elementary schools. During research for grants, it was discovered that students at risk of food insecurity also tend to have academic deficiencies. Upon being awarded a $25,000.00 grant from the Thomas A. Plein Foundation to address those academic deficiencies, the Backpacks on a Mission Literacy Program can provide free books to the Backpacks and Pre-K students. The Thomas A. Plein Foundation is a family foundation that focuses on education and philanthropy. The TAP Foundation was established in Wisconsin, and its philosophy is rooted in the values, sentiments, and beliefs of its founder, Thomas A. Plein. Over the past five years, the TAP Foundation has funded 85 grants to 39 organizations totaling $1,614,100. The funds may be used for general support, public engagement, and education.

 

The process of providing books for pre-K and elementary students included many steps. Backpacks on a Mission Literacy Program coordinators met with school media specialists to gather information on the types of books that would be suitable for elementary students. A partnership with Scholastic Books in Ohio was developed. Scholastic's mission is "To inspire all children to become life-long readers and learners, unlocking an imaginative curiosity about themselves and the world." Over the years, those at Scholastic have devoted their time to enhancing reading for students nationally and internationally. In 2020, they celebrated their 100th anniversary. Books were then ordered and received from Scholastic Books.

 

Ten volunteers met in May to sort and pack the 2,405 books, which would later be distributed to the 436 pre-K and elementary students. On May 19, 2025, four volunteers delivered books to the schools in time for the students' summer reading. Pre-K students received two books each, while students in grades K through 5, along with the two middle school students, received 10 books each.

 

Not only was this an exciting time for the school counselors, social workers, and media specialists, but also for the students and the volunteers. Although this was the first delivery of books in the Backpacks on a Mission Literacy Program, plans have already begun for future deliveries in the fall of 2025.

 

Many schools offer Book Fairs throughout the year. Students, teachers, and families are accustomed to Scholastic, making it our preferred choice of book vendors. Serving Pre-K students through our Literacy Program is a stepping stone in getting books into students' hands early, allowing them to develop a reading interest that will carry them through their school years and beyond.

 

Backpacks on a Mission Literacy Program is profoundly grateful to the TAP Foundation for its substantial grant, which provides students with appropriate books who may not have access to books at home.

 

We are delighted to accept your food and monetary donations for students at risk for food insecurity and academic deficiencies.

Contact us at Backpacks@southshoreumc.com or call 813-677-9482

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May 2025

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     During the final weeks of the 2024-2025 School Year, BOAM Volunteers gathered at South Shore UMC to sort and pack books to be delivered to students in our seven partner schools that were purchased with grant dollars from the Thomas A. Plein (TAP) Foundation.

 

     Studies have shown that children at risk of food insecurity are at risk for school difficulties, including cognitive function, behavior, and overall health thereby making it harder to focus, learn, and thrive in a school environment.

 

   We received this note of gratitude from a Library Media Specialist at one of our partner schools:

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Dear Ms. Bishop,

 

     I wish we could have bottled the giggles and excitement for you when the books arrived in the library. The students were so elated and were sharing their books with everyone around them. I cannot thank you enough for your organization's hard work to bring these gifts to our students.

 

     The best story is one of our pre-k students was wearing a farm shirt today, and he received "One Little Farm." When I asked him about his book, his teacher said, "Oh, yes, he loves everything farms!" 

 

     I thank you for choosing [our school] and building our students' excitement for reading. I wish you health and peace, and a wonderful summer!

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     It is a true privilege to be a part of the food security solution for the students we serve, and to send them into summer with books, courtesy of the TAP Grant, that will support what they have learned this school year and engage their minds until it is time to return to the classroom this Fall.

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     We welcome you to join us in our transformative community work. Contact us via Backpacks@southshoreumc.com or 813.677.9482. 

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