Local School Partnership & Outreach

Mt. Sylvan United Methodist Church is located just one mile down the road from Eno Valley Elementary School in Northern Durham, and within a five mile radius from Carrington Middle School, Lucas Middle School, Little River K-8 and Northern High School. Together we have helped close the divide that so separates schools from their community. As part of the partnership between Mt. Sylvan and these schools, Mt. Sylvan has committed to serving with: 


BACKPACK PROGRAM

The Backpack Program provides children from food-insecure homes with weekend meals during the school year. It currently meets the needs of participating children at Eno Valley Elementary and Carrington Middle School where many students would benefit from access to meals on the weekends. The school social workers screen students for the program.  Each week, bags are filled with child-friendly, nonperishable food and distributed on the last school day before weekends and vacations. 


DONATIONS ARE ALSO NEEDED

Canned vegetables

Canned meats and fish

Individual serving soups and stews and fruit

Individual breakfast items - Low-sugar cereal, oatmeal/grits packets, breakfast bar, etc.

Noodles/Instant Pastas - Easy Mac, noodle soups, Spaghetti-O’s, etc.

Individual healthy snacks - Goldfish, granola bar, raisins, dried fruit, etc.

Juice Boxes (100% juice)

Gallon-size zip lock bags

Shelf -stable chocolate milk

 

STUDENT SNACKS, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, & CLOTHING CLOSET

Throughout the year, snacks for students and school supplies are provided for teachers to use in their classrooms. Articles for the clothes closet at school are also provided and distributed as needed.

 

To learn more about volunteer opportunities with any of our local schools contact Katy MacDonald at katymac0615@gmail.com.



Back to School Sunday at Mt. Sylvan

We have a Back to School Sunday every August, but 2018 was very special. Mt. Sylvan Church's 2018 goal for Back to School Sunday was to collect 150 backpacks fully loaded with school supplies for our neighborhood schools (most of which are full of students on free or reduced lunch programs). By the grace of God, and the generosity of people within, and connected to, our congregation, we crushed that goal, by providing 195 backpacks full of school supplies! Praise the Lord, that we are fortunate enough to contribute in this way and continue thriving in our partnership with Eno Valley Elementary, Carrington and Lucas Middle Schools, and Northern High School. Please look through the pictures below from this momentous occasion.  

Childhood Hunger - Backpack Program

Every Wednesday at 5:00 pm every Wednesday in Mt. Sylvan's Preschool Cafeteria we have a great time of fellowship while packing food bags for our local schools. Join us some or every Wednesday to fight against childhood hunger. No need to signup. Just show up!