The Backpack Program began in 2009, when the former St. Clair Elementary Principal, Vernon Wagner, saw a need within the school. He noticed that there were kids that did not have enough food to eat on the weekends. He came to Glen Stellhorn of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church to ask for help in filling this need. They started the program in April of 2009 with 5 backpacks.

The church congregation, with help from local residents and organizations, packs bags full of food on select days during the school year (usually one Saturday a month). These bags are provided to schools, and the schools distribute a bag to each qualifying child as they head home for the weekend.  

There are three schools for which we supply groceries - the St. Clair Elementary (Pre-K through 2nd Grade), the Edgar Murray Elementary (Grades 3-5), and the Franklin County Special Education Cooperative school in St. Clair (all ages, including students from surrounding counties).

Beginning in the 2018-2019 school year, we now receive free milk and cereal from Operation Food Search in St. Louis. our local grocery stores are very supportive of the program, offering the remaining items at just above cost, greatly reducing the cost per bag. Our packing numbers have increased to about 800 bags per month!

Our largest fundraiser is our annual Golf Tournament, which is held during the month of September. Funds are raised through four-person teams, silent and oral auctions, as well as hole and cart sponsorships. 

For packing dates, and the date of the annual Golf Tournament, please visit our calendar!