The bell rings on Friday and everyone in the class cheers.
You smile and try to act excited, but you can already feel the hunger pangs coming on.
You get home, trying to be hopeful: Maybe it’s different this time?
But with your stomach rumbling in disappointment, there will be no dinner on the table tonight, again.
The 2015 U.S. Census Bureau reported 100,000 people in Volusia County, Florida live in poverty. Volusia County includes Daytona Beach, DeLand, New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach, Port Orange, Ponce Inlet, and Glencoe.
With that number equaling 17.7% of the county’s population, it means that a lot of children are also suffering from poverty and potentially homelessness.
For these kids, the scarcity of their family financial situation means that if the rent is due… That Friday bell might mean no food till Monday, when the school bell rings again.
And it’s not just Volusia. Florida as a whole has a 26.7% rate of childhood food insecurity. That’s the percentage of children who experience the above scenario on a regular basis.
Many of their parents suffer with addiction, alcoholism, or mental illness that leads them to make decisions that result in the neglect of their children.
It’s hard to think when you’re hungry. It’s hard to have much motivation at all, actually. And it certainly isn’t easy to retain new information or recall it during homework hours.
But Provision Packs in Ormond Beach, FL is determined to come to the rescue of these children.
James 1:27: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
These children may have guardians, but the support that “family” is supposed to provide them is lacking in these situations. Stepping in to fill the gap can change what the curse of sin tries to widen.
Matthew 25:35 & 40: “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? …“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'”
Serving those who are in need with a heart of God’s Love is serving God Himself. That is something to think on for a minute the next time I feel like anyone isn’t worth my time or effort!
So what is Provision Packs doing to make a change where it is absolutely needed?
“Our vision is to provide. And the definition of “provide” is to give something in need. And the vision of these packs is not just snacks, but nutrition. It’s a balance or protein, and fat, and carbohydrates, and I do what I can with fruits and vegetables.”
Every week, Provision Packs packs up food that will be placed into the backpacks of children going home to these desperate situations. They seek to do this in a way that will not cause a divide in the child’s social situation.
Provision Packs is working specifically with schools in Volusia County to get the teachers and authorities there involved and help deliver.
They began with Pathways Elementary School, where founder and visionary Cary was first sent a vision by God to act on this concept.
It was fitting, because her children attended this school. And God gave her the vision over pancakes.
Cary was volunteering at her children’s classroom “Pajama Pancake Party” when the teacher took her and another volunteer aside.
She gestured toward a few children and gave the instructions: “Give them as many pancakes as they want.” The teacher explained that this may be the only meal they see all day.
The way these children voraciously devoured their “only meal” proved everything the teacher said, and more.
After that day, Cary did more asking around and learned of the situation in her hometown, as we’ve discussed above, and how intensely prolific these situations are throughout our own nation.
And the thing is, Volusia County in general doesn’t seem altogether like a rundown backwoods place. We like to imagine that the reason we aren’t helping as actively is that there isn’t so much need. But the truth is this situation is everywhere.
The Provision Packs that Cary and her team of volunteers put together isn’t just “kid-food” or snacks, as Cary mentioned. It is so thought-out by hard work and her devotion of the vision.
The food in the children’s packs isn’t meant to be for them only, either. Cary calls it a “puzzle” or “game show” to bring joy and motivation into her weekly event: not only gathering the most nutrients per dollar, but piecing together efficient packs of food that the child will carry home. A four year old obviously has a different strength than a 14 year old. Cary prays and uses all creative wisdom God can give into these efforts.
In general, need is everywhere. Cary just took one small step of helping, was open to God’s Voice, and suddenly was brought face to face with a serious need and opportunity.
She could have ignored it, but she followed the pressing God laid as a burden on her heart, and this organization was born quickly thereafter.
How can you help? Well, three main ways.
First, if you feel immediately led towards helping Volusia County’s families, please visit provisionpacks.org. You can learn more of their story, and donate toward the cause.
A second way is to educate yourself about similar statistics in your area.
If you live in a particularly struggling area, perhaps you can contact schools and see if there is a way to help. You may have to present the idea to them, as they may not have something like this going on.
Even if you choose to “adopt” one or two children and their families, perhaps from your own kid’s class, you are blessing God in your effort.
Your church may even be able to help! This is how new ministries are started – by anyone with a talent or just the eyes to see what God sees, and a heart to serve Him.
If you act on the vision He births in you, God will open doors that will blow your mind.
Lastly, spread the message. Either Provision Packs’ story if you are local to Volusia, or perhaps the realities you learn about in your hometown.
As Cary mentions several times in her “Our Beginnings” interview (available on the Provision Packs website/About Us page), it starts with education. As soon as people became aware of what she was doing and what was happening, they were jumping to help.
And of course we can pray, if nothing else, for Provision Packs ministry as well as the children who receive the blessings. Namely, that God will use this act of kindness to point them toward Himself, toward a living hope found in God the Provider. Amen.
