As we enter another week with the Safer at Home order, more community volunteers are working to do great things.

Several members of three of church congregations are collaborating with Belleville School District staff to deliver Family Food Bags.

"We knew this would be a tough time because some families might have a parent who was furloughed or unemployed," said Jayne Campbell, one of the volunteers and a member of the United Church of Christ.

Working with Becky Clark, the Nurse with the school district, Pastor Laura Kolden with the United Church of Christ, Father Mick Moon and Pam Burke with St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and Pastor George Kaminski with Grace United Methodist and several other volunteers are offering additional food to families on a weekly basis and it's delivered through the school district when staff deliver breakfasts and lunches throughout the week.

"Last week, we provided Family Food Bags for 28 families and expect the number to increase," explained Campbell. "The Family Food Bags differ from the Belleville Food Pantry in that the food bags are provided to families with school age children who receive free breakfast and lunch. The partnership with the school allows requests for Family Food bags to be delivered directly to the school. Our volunteers receive a weekly count, so we know how many bags to put together and the school staff deliver the food bags on Wednesday mornings."

Betsy Blum says she is honored to be the representative to bring awareness to this project to the members of the Grace United Methodist Church.

"We are small, but growing, and are involved in many different missions, state, national and international," added Blum. "While those needs continue, God directs us that it is imperative we turn to help our local communities in this time of uncertainty with COVID-19, social distancing, job suspensions, school closings and quarantines. The Family Food Bags program helps an already identified local target, right here in Belleville."

Each week, different volunteers from each congregation wear masks and wash their hands frequently while they assemble the bags.

"We also want to keep our recipient families healthy and safe, which is why we are only accepting financial contributions," said Campbell. "We have one designated shopper from our committee who plans a couple of meals and purchases the groceries accordingly."

The School District of Belleville Food Service Program continues to provide free pre-packaged, grab-and-go breakfast and lunch to any child age 18 and younger.

Families can request meals to be delivered to their household by contacting Stacie Dettwiler at dettwils@belleville.k12.wi.us or (608) 835-6120 extension 3499.

Those receiving the grab-and-go meals may request the weekly Family Food Bag by leaving a message at the First United Church of Christ office at (608) 424-3572 or office@bellevillefirstucc.org.

"In support of local dairy farmers, the volunteers also try to include a gallon a milk with the Family Food Bags and people have offered to donate dairy products," added Burke.

Blum added that she has received great comments about the variety of food products that are selected each week.

"A lot of thought goes into putting compatible ingredients into the bags that then provide options for the recipients," said Blum. "Grace United Methodist Church is very proud to be a part of this community effort."

Financial contributions can be sent to one of the three partnering churches:

First United Church of Christ, PO Box 380, Belleville, WI 53508; Grace United Methodist Church, PO Box 19, Belleville, WI 53508; or St. Francis of Assisi, PO Box 349, Belleville, WI 53508.

Burke also mentioned that there is a Blessing Box on Frederick Street and added that, "It is refilled often and open 24 hours a day."

"Members of the Belleville community have been very generous in support of our efforts," added Campbell. "Thank you."