Upward program collects more than 4,000 canned goods

GRAND BLANC — Wanting to help locals in need, the First Congregational United Church of Christ of Grand Blanc hosted a food drive to benefit the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan.

Tracy Loomis, director of youth ministries, said the church’s Upward program, which is a ministry for kindergarten through sixth grade children that brings them closer to God through sports, complete a community outreach program every year.

Last year, Loomis said Upward raised more than $600 to donate to Habitat for Humanity in the Flint area and this year they were looking for something different to do.

“They came up with the idea of having an eight week food drive during our basketball season,” Loomis said. “It was a lot of fun too. They had a contest where they would bring in cans on game day and we would chart it and keep track of which team collected the most.”

In total, the 360 children involved in the Upward program collected more than 4,000 canned goods to donate locally.

“We were not expecting that much,” Loomis said. “When we began we wanted a large amount, but never thought it would be like that. The food bank had to come out three times to pick up what we had collected.”

Loomis said over the course of the eight weeks the children collected the non-perishable items, she saw the children become inspired to give back to the community.

“It really helped open their eyes,” Loomis said. “They saw that there are people here in Flint that are hungry and I am just so pleased with their commitment to this cause.”