The Christmas Letter
November 9, 2009
Dear Springfield Business Owner, Church or Small Group,
Have you ever seen a child try to concentrate on even the smallest task when all they can really think about is the hunger inside their tummy? I see this kind of tragedy every day. My name is Maria Tate and I am privileged to be a third grade teacher at Bowerman Elementary, one of Springfield’s north side schools. Children living in poverty are a part of our daily struggle at Bowerman. Our kids deal with homelessness, are being raised by single parents or grandparents, some live with two or three families in one house, and now some are dealing with their parents or guardians being laid off or without work. Thankfully, our school offers students the stability of two meals a day through our breakfast and lunch program. Right now, 87 % of our students eat for free or at a reduced rate.
Unfortunately, Christmas does not mean presents or trips to our students. This season may mean one meal a day in some families if they are lucky. Not every child in our school is in this predicament, but a large number are and we are coming to your business or group for help.
As a staff, we are raising funds to provide a Christmas for some of our most poverty-ridden students. We are trying to provide them food, including meat, vegetables, fruit, dairy and grains, for the whole week we are not in school. Our goal is also to try to provide these students presents. We are asking your business to join us in this endeavor to fight the hunger in our students’ lives and provide them some Christmas joy. There are several ways you can helps. One way is donating funds. If your business only donates $30, you will help feed a family of four during Christmas week.
A second way you could help is by donating presents or Wal-Mart gift cards (which the Christmas Council will use to buy appropriate sized coats, clothing items or presents for teenagers in the family). No matter which option you choose, we will include your business’s name on a Christmas card placed inside each box and send a receipt noting your donation. Please consider helping students in your community, right next door, that need your help this Christmas season.