A school bus stop ministry in Wynne, Arkansas keeps kids happy and full.

For Andrea Gentry, a former teacher, kids have always been near and dear to her heart. “I love helping people, and this was a neat and ongoing experience where I could help kids on a regular basis and eventually develop relationships with these kids,” Gentry said.

Gentry, a member of the First United Methodist Church in Wynne, has organized and started a school bus stop ministry for the Wynne School District. She and other volunteers hand out snacks to kids once they reach their bus stop.

“The kids are very welcoming, and I get hugs every now and then.” Gentry said the idea of the ministry stemmed from 200,000 Reasons initiative by the United Methodists of Arkansas. She said she received a grant of more than $1,000 in October, but thanks to donations and support, has not had to fully dip into the funds for the snacks.

“I have had great community support, and they have provided snacks for me,” she said. “They will buy them and give them to me. By sharing it on Facebook, and word of mouth, we have received wonderful community support. People will volunteer their time, or donate money or donate snacks for us to use. We have a closet full of snacks.”

One of the volunteer’s mother manages an apartment complex with several low-income units, and that became a location for snack distribution too. Gentry said Chelsea Brawner, another member of the United Church in Wynne, will begin volunteering for the ministry and will add a third stop. Gentry said the church has been really supportive.

This has been an easy way to reach out to other people and take a little time to build that trust with individuals.

Where did the money for the grant Gentry received originate? One of seven apportioned giving opportunities of The United Methodist Church, the World Service Fund is the financial lifeline to a long list of Christian missions and ministries throughout the denomination. Through the Four Areas of Focus churches are engaging in ministry with the poor with their communities in ways that are transformative.