2023 Appalachian Christmas Outreach

Each zippered school backpack should include:

A) Items of NEW warm clothing.  Please try to provide a winter hat, a pair of gloves, 2-3 pair of winter socks, and maybe a scarf.
B) Small pop-top canned food items such as ravioli, tuna, beef stew, vegetables, fruit (3-4 cans - no plastic containers, please)
C) At least 1 or 2 NEW, age appropriate non-breakable toy(s) (no toy weapons, please!) This can include small cars, balls, dolls, small stuffed animals, puzzles, jump rope, sidewalk chalk, card games, Legos, etc. For oldest age group (15-17) substitute an appropriate item instead of a toy, such as, a flashlight, small thermos, light blanket, earbuds, small tool kits, fishing gear, books, hunting, fishing or sports magazines for the boys - jewelry, books, earbuds, skin care products, hair accessories, small travel-sized hair dryer, etc. for girls. (Pastor Mike & Linda are taking care of this item!)
D) Hygiene items including full sized containers of toothpaste, body wash, shampoo, and deoderant, as well as toothbrush, soap, washcloth, brush or comb.  (Please fit these items into a one gallon Ziploc bag so they do not leak out into the rest of the backpack).
E) Fresh, wrapped candy (no chocolate please, as it may melt; and no peanut products because of potential allergies)
F) A children’s Bible or youth Bible (no one version is required) (Pastor Mike & Linda are taking care of this item!)
G) A copy of "The Christmas Story"; this can be found on the Baptist on Mission website for ease of printing.
 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please make sure all items fit into the backpack. Nothing should be attached to the outside of the pack except the ribbons identifying age and boy/girl. Items outside of the backpack do not store and travel well. Many are either torn off or become quite dirty in transport. Also, please do not tape the outside of the backpacks as it leaves a sticky residue. 

Each backpack should be labeled boy or girl as well as the appropriate age.

 Age groupings for this year are 4-7, 8-10, 11-14, 15-17 

Each backpack will have two 10 inch ribbons tied to them - one to indicate gender and one for age, as follows:
 

Gender:
Blue ribbon will indicate a boy’s backpack.
Pink ribbon will indicate a girl’s backpack.

Age:
Yellow ribbon will indicate that the backpack is for ages 4-7
Green ribbon for ages 8-10
Red ribbon for ages 11-14
White ribbon for ages 15-17.