USA (MNN) — "Pocket change is worth more than you think." That's the catch phrase for Worldwide Christian Schools' Lunch Money Fund.
"We say that because it really is more than just lunch money. A school lunch is often the only meal a student in India will eat each day," said Emily Klooster of Worldwide
Christian Schools.
The program facilitates coin drives that allow North American students to help Indian students. "We do this because North American students, we believe, really want to
give. Even if they can only offer quarters, dimes and nickels," Klooster explained.
Since as little as 20 cents can buy an Indian student lunch, every filled canister represents several children that will not go hungry at least one day. Many Indian students'
families often cannot make ends meet and cannot provide a school lunch.
Klooster explained the process. "What we do is mail them lunch money canisters. And we also will mail them brochures or posters or any other materials that they would like to
use to get the news out to their church or their school."
Once groups receive the canisters, each person is challenged to take the canister home and fill it up with pocket change. The deadline for returning the filled cans is flexible and can be as long or as short as the group likes.
The first school that participated raised over $1,000. Last November, Rose Park Christian School in Holland, Michigan raised an unprecedented $2,700. Kids began returning filled canisters before the deadline and some even began filling theirs a second time.
"This really leaves Christian schools in India with the important role of keeping their students well nourished," said Klooster.
Klooster says that anyone and everyone can be a part of keeping Indian children fed. "One child, 20 children, thousands of children, whoever would like to participate–we'll take them.
