OAKLAND –For homeless students at Messalonskee high and middle schools, blessings arrive as tubes of toothpaste, bottles of water, pudding cups and peanut butter crackers tucked inside a backpack.

For one homeless teen, blessings were pouches of pet food for her cat.

For needy elementary school students in Oakland, blessings come in the form of healthy munchies at snack time.

In February 2010, the United Baptist Church started the Blessings in a BackPack-SnackPack program to help area homeless teens as well as younger students at Atwood and Williams elementary schools in need of nutritious snacks.

The Rev. Gary York said church members initiated the Blessings program because they were motivated to do more than demonstrate their faith in Christ inside the church’s four walls.

“We want to engage the community in meaningful ways to make the Gospel reveal itself,” York said.

While brainstorming ways to help others, York said a Messalonskee student spoke about a homeless peer who periodically slept in a box car.

Later that month, the Blessings in BackPack-SnackPack program was launched.

The church is working with the Jobs for Maine Graduates program at Messalonskee High School to reach children who could benefit from a blessing.

Backpacks stocked with food and soap and toothbrushes and toothpaste are delivered to Jobs for Maine Graduates specialist Robin Allen’s classroom.

Allen said homeless teens stop by her room Friday afternoon and grab a backpack stocked with necessities to help get them get through the weekend — whether they’re crashing in a box car or couch surfing — spending nights on friends’ couches.

The teens return backpacks to the classroom early the next week so they can be replenished.

Teens who pick up a backpack more than once can specify what foods and hygiene products on an itemized list would most benefit them.

Allen said Jobs for Maine Graduates students regularly take on community service projects and the Blessings in BackPack-SnackPack program has been an important one.

“It’s a great feeling to help other people,” said Sierra Ingalls, a senior at Messalonskee and a student in the jobs program.

Last fall, students picked apples at The Apple Farm in Manchester, made apple crisp, and helped serve it at a United Baptist Church supper to raise money for the Blessings program.

“It makes me feel good being able to help the community,” said Taylor Creasy, a Messalonskee senior and president of the jobs program.

Allen said the Blessings in BackPack-SnackPack program could be duplicated by other area organizations and Jobs for Maine Graduates programs at other local schools.

The need is there.

York said 14 homeless middle and high students who attend school in Oakland have picked up backpacks since the program was launched.

In addition, snacks are provided each weekday to 125 Williams and Atwood elementary schoolchildren who can’t afford them.

York said the church spends about $500 monthly to stock backpacks and buy snacks; he said about $700 is needed monthly to meet the need.

People wishing to contribute can donate returnable bottles and cans at Oakland Redemption Discount on Water Street, make checks payable to Blessings in BackPack-SnackPack program, attend benefit church suppers, and bring nonperishable food or hygiene products in their original packaging to the church office at 47 Church St.

“This is to live out our faith,” York said. “Because people are down on their luck, they still have dignity.”

Beth Staples — 861-9252

[email protected]

HOW TO HELP

People who want to contribute can donate returnable bottles and cans at Oakland Redemption Discount on Water Street, make checks payable to Blessings in BackPack-SnackPack program, attend United Baptist Church benefit suppers, and bring nonperishable food or hygiene products in their original packaging to the church office at 47 Church St. For more information, contact the church at 465-7828.