For 15 years, Summerville First United Methodist Church has helped make sure students in the Chattooga County School System have food to take home for the weekend, and the need for that assistance has reached a new high.

The church’s Backpack Ministry provides bags of non-perishable, nutritious and kid-friendly food to students during the school year. Students are selected by school counselors with input from teachers.

Over the years, every school in the Chattooga County School System has participated in the program at one time or another. For the 2026-27 school year, Menlo Elementary School, Leroy Massey Elementary School and Chattooga High School are participating.

At the beginning of this school year, the program was asked to provide 236 food bags each week — the highest number in the ministry’s 15-year history. Organizers say the need has continued to grow since August, prompting additional fundraising efforts.

The ministry has increasingly relied on partnerships with other churches and organizations as demand has grown. Summerville First United Methodist Church, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Bethel Methodist Church and Menlo Methodist Church are currently participating, with additional churches expected to join.

Those churches work with Northwest Georgia Hunger Ministries to obtain food through the Atlanta Food Pantry at a cost of approximately $1 per bag each week.

The ministry has also received support in previous years through grants from North Georgia EMC Operation Round-Up and the North Georgia Housing and Homeless Council.

Individual donations remain an important part of keeping the program operating. According to the church, a $36 donation can provide weekend food for one student for an entire school year.

Church officials say donations of any amount are appreciated as the ministry works to meet the increasing need among local students.

Those wishing to support the Backpack Ministry can donate online through Summerville First United Methodist Church’s designated Backpack Ministry fundraising page.