Tuesdays are special for students in grades 5-12 from Midland Adventist Academy. They climb aboard a bus and head out for the Renewed Hope Food Pantry at New Haven Seventh-day Adventist Church in Overland Park, Kansas. The fifth and sixth graders are accompanied by their teacher, Sara Neill on the second Tuesday of the month, the seventh and eighth graders are lead by Jeremy Bayer their homeroom teacher on the fourth Tuesday of the month, and high school students accompanied by Ryan Dennis, their Bible teacher, alternate on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
Teacher Jeremy Bayer says, “It is a highlight of the month and the students look forward to it each month. Other workers there comment on how well the class is behaved and how much of a joy they are to work with. You can hear kids often telling the people who come through; “Have a nice day,” or “God Bless,” and it is a joy to hear.”
Mr Bayer added, “It is also nice to see the kids helping each other out at all the different stations making sure that each station is full of food and people to distribute the food. All in all it is a great experience for myself as well as my students to go and do as Jesus Himself did. The Bible says Jesus came to serve, not be served, and my students really have taken to that mission.”
Aiden, a sixth grader says, “The Food Pantry is great! It feels nice to put food in the peoples’ cars. I enjoy seeing them come through and the smiles on their faces. It is an awesome experience.”
“When I go to the Food Pantry it makes me very happy when I can do good, help the community and give back. It’s fun and you get exercise while helping. All the volunteers there are so kind and helpful. It’s so nice to see the smiles on peoples faces when you help serve,” says Zaira.
“My experience at the food pantry is amazing! What I love about it is that we have fun, help people, and share the word of God. I also love meeting new people and hanging out with my friends. When you’re at the food pantry you feel so good that you made a difference in someone’s life. It’s always an amazing day on Tuesday!” says Olivia.
Greg Murphy is principal of Midland Adventist Academy.
