Hope Packs Go Out to the Needy

Elim Christian Services has shipped out thousands of Elim Hope Packs, containing basic school supplies, to communities in the U.S. and in several countries around the world ever since the idea for this ministry took hold in 2007.

They see this as acting on its mission, which is to help people with and without disabilities be agents in God’s kingdom work.

Containing pens, pencils, crayons, a notebook and other items, the packs mean the difference between a child going to school or having to stay home in many cases, says Dan Vander Plaats, advancement director for Elim Christian Services, which is based in the Chicago area.

Elim partners with Food for the Hungry, the Global AID Network, and others to get the supplies to the children. It is also an institution recommended by the Christian Reformed Church for donations.

"When a child, especially overseas, won't go to school, it usually has to do with poverty. Oftentimes, when school supplies are not available, the kids don't go to school," says Vander Plaats, whose organization is just starting to get the word out to churches outside Chicago about the project. So far, churches involved have tended to be Christian Reformed Church congregations in the Chicago area.

"This project has been successful so far, but we certainly are looking forward to working on a larger scale as long as the organization can make sure that the packs continue to be packaged with care," says Vander Plaats, adding that Elim considers donation of these packs as a way to share the Gospel message with others.

Members of many CRC and Reformed Church in America congregations in the Chicago area organized Elim in 1948 as a Christian day school for children with disabilities. Elim has expanded its reach over the years. It now offers residential services for children, day services for adults, and outreach to people with disabilities around the world.

The packs are put together by about 200 people with disabilities in a Chicago-area facility run by Elim.

Mark Stephenson, director of the CRC's Office of Disability Concerns, says the Elim project has been one good way to provide work for people with disabilities. In addition, says Stephenson, the project connects churches to Elim and Elim to countries around the world. "This is a good, very helpful effort," he says.

Elim sends the blue nylon bags – the Elim Hope Packs – to churches that have committed to holding a school-supplies drive. Besides the bags, Elim provides collections bins, a video explaining the program, banners, handouts and a school-supply check list.

Donations of $8 per pack are requested to help pay for packing and shipping. These donations also help Elim which, like many institutions in today’s weak economy, has faced budget shortfalls.

An Elim representative picks up the packs from the churches and takes them to the facility where they are emptied and packed in clear plastic bags for shipping. On a case-by-case basis, says Vander Plaats, they will ship the bags to locations specified by a local congregation.

"Our adults are good at and motivated by this type of work," says Vander Plaats. "The school supplies have to be packaged in a very efficient way… We make sure that each of these bags contains the same number and type of school supplies."

As part of the program, some persons with disabilities have travelled to churches in this country and overseas to talk about the project.

"God has a purpose and plan for everyone’s life. We believe that people with disabilities are not just to be given to," says Vander Plaats. "We think this program helps show that people with disabilities are not just people who are recipients of mercy, but instead can be agents of mercy.”

To learn more about the Elim Hope Packs effort, call 1-708-293-3630 or 1-877-935-4627. Email: [email protected]. Or visit: http://www.elimcs.org/.