“Food Changes Lives,” but what about those who may not always have food on the table? Throughout the world, millions of children and adults alike suffer from chronic hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition everyday. So, what are we, on a global scale, doing to try to mitigate hunger? We are raising the cost of groceries, further limiting access to food. 

So often, many people work extremely hard just to provide for themselves and their families, but, at times, people have to go without basic human necessities because they are unable to afford what they truly need. 

Thanks to the help of local food banks and ministries around the world, many people who suffer from food insecurity are able to get adequate food so that they do not go hungry. In Brunswick County, one such program is called Matthew’s Ministry. 

Matthew’s Ministry is a weekly food backpack program that provides food support for underprivileged students and their families across Brunswick County. With a mission to eliminate childhood hunger, Matthew’s Ministry serves 600+ children in at least 16 schools in Brunswick County. 

In speaking with Ms. Kristie Disbrow, founder of Matthew’s Ministry, I learned of the effects that rising food costs are having on her non-profit. She explained that prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic, one bag of food, which includes multiple items, had an estimated price tag of $5.55. She said that the same bag of food now costs over $10. Also, she previously only had to pay about two-thirds of the retail price of food from certain suppliers, but that is now a “thing of the past.” Since COVID, she now pays full price for all food that is not donated. 

Despite food costs skyrocketing in recent years, Ms. Disbrow explained that they have never turned a child away or even provided them with less food in their 15 years of operation. She attributes this to the very close-knit and generous community. She said that she prays a lot and will always speak about Matthew’s Ministry every chance she gets.

During my interview, I asked how she came up with the idea of a backpack program versus a more traditional food bank. She explained that the program began with only a single child and grew from there. Due to the large size of Brunswick County and a lack of transportation that some face, she decided to utilize the school bus, a guaranteed mode of transportation. She said that backpacks filled with food are delivered to the schools, distributed anonymously, and then can be taken home by the children on the school bus.

Ms. Disbrow said that she does not always know the immense impact she is making on the community due to her not knowing any of the students’ names. However, she described one of the moments that makes this “just makes sense.” She said that she was at a church event during which Matthew’s Ministry came up in conversation. A former recipient, who had since graduated, said that she remembered receiving a backpack full of food every week. Ms. Disbrow explained that moments such as these, “makes it all worth it.”

Matthew’s Ministry also hosts a summer backpack drive, during which it collects backpacks to use during the school year. This year, they collected over 900 backpacks. However, a donation of a backpack is not the only way that the public can help, as Matthew’s Ministry is always seeking food donations. (At the end of this article, there is a list of example foods that can be donated). 

            Matthew’s Ministry also facilitates an annual book drive for elementary-aged children to give books as holiday gifts in the backpacks, while middle and high schoolers receive a Walmart gift card every year. 

Now with over 100 volunteers, Matthew’s Ministry, as said by Ms. Disbrow, “would not happen without this community.” The Bible says, in Matthew 25:40, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” This verse truly embodies the mission of Matthew’s Ministry.

Last year, I first became connected with Ms. Disbrow and Matthew’s Ministry through her book drive, which I was very fortunate to be able to run as my Eagle Scout Project. Ms. Disbrow and Matthew’s Ministry both have truly changed my life.

To learn more, visit: https://matthewsministry.org