Kids Seek LV's Help After Canceled Fundraiser

Fifth grade students at Vacation Bible School hold a final-day  to benefit the

This year, though, the event was rained out, leaving the students without a fundraising effort.

But that didn't stop them from improvising and coming up with $555.00 in proceeds to benefit the food pantry, according to Sandie Brackmann, director of junior high ministries at the church.

The students made lemonade for the family pizza party that ends Vacation Bible School, and raised the money from family and staff.

In addition to that, three of the students put their heads together and wrote an article asking their neighbors to donate to the food pantry. 

The letter follows:

Many families live in hunger. Thankfully, our community has people who willingly volunteer their time to support our local food pantries.

On Friday, July 20, 2012, the 5th grade class of Valley View Chapel’s Vacation Bible School planned to have a charity car wash to benefit the local food pantry (located at Long Valley Presbyterian Church on Bartley Road). The anxious campers showed up early that morning only to discover their plans had been changed due to God’s choice of weather. Despite their disappointment, they all agreed to obey and seek what He had in store for them. Because of the rain and their “wash-less car wash,” they became open to the possibility of finding answers elsewhere.

The 5th grade was depressed that they wouldn’t get to participate in one of the best traditions of this VBS. However, everyone knew that if God wanted a car wash, He would have given them the weather for it. It then became clear to them that this wasn’t God’s plan for them. What the campers realized is what’s really important is not the event, but the purpose and motivation behind it. To try to salvage the situation, they are now requesting donations out of the community’s generosity.

If you are interested in being part of this movement, please mail checks payable to ICOWTA, with “Food Pantry” written on the memo line. You can then mail to 39 Bartley Road, Long Valley, NJ, 07853. Whether you give five dollars or five hundred dollars, the 5th graders sincerely appreciate your donations.

It’s never too late to make a difference in someone’s life. Imagine you are a single parent of four and are only permitted to take one grocery bag of necessities for your starving family due to limited supplies at the food pantry. But then, a kind stranger drops off bundles of food. Wouldn’t you be relieved? That’s how easy it is to make a difference. Remember, it’s not too late to save the car wash and help the food pantry. Because of you, a child used to living in hunger and poverty may live a day differently. Thank you for helping to show others how God provides. Every family who has ever visited the food pantry knows that without you, they couldn’t gather supplies to care for their family.