The United Methodist Churches of Algoma and West Kewaunee have made sure kids had what they needed to get through a weekend for years, but it took a pandemic for them to do it even better. The churches have been collecting items to fill up backpacks for Algoma-area school children to take home with enough food and other items so they had less to worry about over the weekend. When schools closed in March, it forced the congregation to have conversations with the people they served and find out what their true needs were. Pastor Jennifer Emert says it has been a blessing to learn more about their community members while continuing to help.

Emert says the churches have also provided Monday night dinners to the Algoma Wolf Den program, even taking the program virtual for a little bit after two high school students tested positive for COVID-19. She calls the situation dynamic as some families have sunk deeper into poverty. Others have spoken up and said "thank you," but their situation improved enough that they no longer needed the assistance.

Picture courtesy of Algoma United Methodist Church