On Saturday, February 18, we welcomed Mary Ann and Bill Barrett to speak at our Saturday Morning Talk. Mary Ann and Bill lead the Backpack for Migrant Workers ministry at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Bloomfield.
It all started when Mary Ann was driving by a field one April in the 1990’s. She saw a migrant worker in a t-shirt, shorts, and flipflops. Mary Ann knew pretty much right away she wanted to do something! Fast forward to 2023, and last year Mary Ann and her team at Emmanuel put together 64 backpacks, full of necessities, for migrant workers at farms all over the County. Once hearing about this important work St. Philip’s is pleased to help with this important initiative for 2024.
There is a lot needed for the backpacks, including, well backpacks! If you have gently used, or even a new and not needed backpack, Mary Ann would very much appreciate you donating it to this important program. And there are lots of other items needed, here’s some lists.
Personal Necessities: such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, disposable razors, bandages, antiperspirant, Vaseline or hand cream, and shampoo
Clothing Items, new or gently used: medium & large men’s hoodies, coats, raincoats, men’s socks, shoes (all sizes), rubber boots, toques, work gloves
Want to help out? Contact Mary Ann at brindle@gmail.com. They will start packing the backpack’s shortly after Easter this year, so would like most of the items to Emmanuel by April 1st. At St. Phillip’s we are planning to distribute to and connect with the workers at Creasy Apple Dabble Orchards, Waupoos Winery and Hugh’s Blueberries.